William and Kathleen, the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, were oblivious to their surroundings; the crews cheered, their daughter wept; and still, they had no thought except for one another. William held Kathleen against his chest, "I never stopped looking for you." He whispered. "Never."
"I know, my love." Kathleen purred.
"I saw the island where he held you. Is Marcus Bailey," the name was all but spit from the Duke's lips, "in the Green Eyed Lady's brig?" The Duke's eyes glinted as cold steel and a shiver ran down the Duchess' spine at the thought of what her husband would have done to the man had he encountered him alive. A small smirk lifted one corner of her lips. And Arianna had thought the lashing I gave the man had been brutal.
"Is that a yes?" William Kent asked with a lifted brow. His arms began to slip from around his wife but Kathleen stopped him with a firm grip upon his sleeve.
"Nay, love. He did not live long amongst so many he tormented." Her husband was not able to hide his disappointment from her.
"I never stopped trying to get back to you." Kathleen told him. She raised her eyes to his, "I escaped by the balcony numerous times, I tried to leave by stowing away on ships, by stealing boats, I even set the manor on fire once." She admitted.
William looked down at her with amazement in his eyes, "Truly? You did all those things?"
"That and more, my dear, that and more." Kathleen patted his cheek. "It is all behind me and I would leave it there for now, if that is alright with you. I just need to be alone with you for a short while, I think no one will deny us that." Kathleen shared a knowing look with him, before glancing around. "Wave at your daughter, and come with me."
She took his hand and started to lead him across the deck. The Duke looked around and saw his daughter on the top deck, her hands clasped before her, tears streaming down her face as she gazed lovingly at her parents. Her manner of dress caused the Duke's brow to quirk. He was shocked to see her in breeches and a loose shirt, her hair simply braided over her shoulder.
Despite his shock, the Duke started to smile and wave at her, but it was then that he saw a man walk up behind her and fit himself against her backside. Fully against her breeches clad backside. The man even dared so much as to slip an arm about her waist and make her step back into him. Instead of becoming outraged and at least slapping the man's cheek, his daughter covered the man's hand that rested upon her midriff with one of her own.
The Duke's smile turned to a glare and his face reddened to an angry hue. Arianna gasped and turned to Derek, burying her face in his chest.
Kathleen turned to smile at her husband and encourage him to hurry, until she saw his face and the direction of his stare.
She immediately stopped and William ran right into her, "You will cease that right now, William darling, they are betrothed after all."
William grinned at Kathleen, showing his approval of the match. "She didn't put up too much of a fight, I hope."
"A bit, but then she's our daughter. You did a fine job of choosing her a husband, my dear. Your execution of the matter, however, left a bit to be desired. Leaving our daughter with no option but to run away..." She shook her head and poked him in the chest. "You should know her better than that. It is a good thing she found me, because, you sir, need some straightening out." With one look and the sway of her hips, Kathleen lead William across the deck and down to her cabin. She opened the door, pushed the Duke inside and closed it behind them, turning the lock.
He came to her and took her by the waist with one hand and put his other behind her neck. "And you are just the one to do it aren't you, my little Kat?"
"Oh, yes." She breathed, her eyes taking on a molten green hue. "Yes, I am."
***************************
Derek's smile was as charming as it was engaging, as he turned from Captain Daniels side making his way across the gangplanks from the Merry Kathleen back to the Lady. Everything had been discussed and decided for the evening ahead.
Derek stepped down to his ship's deck and looked around for his first mate. Alejandro seemed to be conducting a tour of the Lady for the senior officers of the Kathleen's crew. Derek made his way towards the group, stopping short of joining them.
Alejandro noticed his captain awaiting his attention and excused himself from the men.
"Captain?"
Derek turned to face away from the men his first mate had been speaking with, "I have spoken with the Kathleen's captain and everything is set for this evening."
Alejandro noted his captain's eyes unconsciously finding Arianna at the Lady's bow while he waited for his orders.
"Captain Daniels has offered to take the passengers aboard the Kathleen as our extended stay on the island has left our stores low." Derek informed him.
"Si, captain."
"Assign Cook more cabin boys. He will need them as runners to organize the efforts for the evening meal." Derek's eyes were still locked onto his bride-to-be as he continued to speak. "And have the rum cooled."
"Si, captain." Alejandro's grin was audible in his voice.
"And have the crew swab the decks, I want the Lady gleaming by sundown." Derek watched as the Duke emerged from below deck and spotted his daughter at the bow.
"Si, captain. Is there anything further?"
"Aye, would you ask Carmelita to assist my bride this evening? I would prefer she did not wear breeches while we exchange vows."
Alejandro laughed heartily and wiped the evidence of his mirth from the corners of his eyes. "Si, captain, I am sure Carmelita would be honored."
Alejandro, bemused by the frown upon his captain's brow, turned to follow his stare. Arianna was all but cowering before the Duke of Marlborough. No sign of the headstrong vixen could be found in the young girl preparing for a reprimand from her father.
Alejandro turned an amused look at his captain.
"You cannot save her from this."
A muscle in Derek's cheek twitched as he stepped forward to do exactly that.
Before Derek had taken more than three steps, however, Arianna turned and preceded her father across the gangplanks to the Merry Kathleen.
********************************
I believe we have a few things to discuss, Arianna.
Her father's words as he had approached her at the bow ran through Arianna's mind once more as she made her way to the cabin her father called his own aboard the Kathleen.
"My cabin or yours?" She had asked.
"Mine." The Duke had all but growled, his flashing silver eyes reminding her of a wolf's on the hunt.
So, now she was preceding him to the familiar cabin.
How she wished he would have allowed this discussion to take place in her own territory aboard the Lady. As it was, Arianna could not help but feel like the small girl she had once been, once again preparing to be sent off to her rooms to consider her behavior.
Arianna paused next to the cabin door as her father produced a key from his pocket, turning the lock, before he preceded her into the cabin.
Arianna followed him in and pushed the door back into it's frame, closing her eyes in trepidation as the lock clicked home.
"Do you care to explain yourself, Arianna?" William Kent asked as he poured two glasses of brandy from his decanter.
Arianna drew in a heavy breath. "What I did was foolish, I am aware, as well as selfish." She turned to face him, however as her eyes raised to her father's and she accepted the glass he extended, her self assured composure returned, "But I cannot regret my decision to leave."
William Kent's face might as well have been carved of granite as he weighed his daughter's words against the liquor in his glass. He had brought her here with every intention of chiding her for her foolishness and recklessness... But he found he could not do it.
William took a sip from his glass and used the moment to study his daughter. It was true that her manner of dress was definitely different, however there was something else about her that had changed. Her features were just the same as he had always remembered; a mirror image of her mother at the same age. But the light in her eyes, that had not wavered from his own, and the tilt to her chin, though still stubborn, held a maturity he had not seen there before.
It was then that William realized his daughter was no longer a pampered child, but a woman fully confident in herself. Apparently she was also mature enough to admit her mistakes.
The thought lifted the corner of his lips in a quirk.
"'Tis glad I am to see you safe, daughter. And your mother as well."
William held his arms out to his daughter and Arianna quickly stepped into them. Happy tears filled her eyes as her father held her close.
William pulled back, wiping at his own eyes.
"Arianna, about the betrothal.."
A happy laugh bubbled from her throat and Arianna grinned at her father. Lifting her left hand, Arianna showed him the ring that graced her third finger.
"I love Derek, father. I would not have it any other way."
William Kent once again enveloped his daughter in his arms before he pulled back and bid her, "Then show me to your young man, daughter, I would assess him with my own eyes."
Arianna drained her glass and was ecstatic to do exactly that.
*****
Arianna stepped onto the gangplanks to make her way back to the Lady and was grateful for her father's steadying hand upon her elbow. A small smile formed about her lips as she was caught between the swaying of the two ships.
"Easy, Arianna." Her father chuckled by her ear, "Your mother would not forgive me should you tumble."
Arianna pouted at him over her shoulder, "You would not miss me, father?"
The Duke lifted a brow and with a mock seriousness to his tone he answered his daughter while he ushered her across the makeshift bridge, "I have grown quite accustomed to your absence."
Arianna's jaw dropped as she turned fully to her father.
A chuckle shook the Duke's well muscled frame as he stepped from the gangplanks to the Lady's deck. As he lifted Arianna down next to him, a boyish grin revealed his good humor, "Have your travels slowed your tongue, daughter? Or perhaps 'tis the brandy that dulls your wit."
Arianna's mouth closed to an irritated pout. "You will miss me once I marry."
"Aye, daughter, I shall." The Duke's smile disappeared and the lines in his face were once again hard. His demeanor would have been taken as threatening by any other than his daughter, as he continued, "Though it will be better than worrying for your safety as I have. Story has it you took a pirate's life."
A glance up at her father's concerned profile told Arianna that though it had been stated, it was truly a question.
"Aye, father." She replied, her eyes guiltily downcast. "I took your pistol from your study before I left. It served me well."
William looked down at the top of his daughter's downcast head with pride. "I shall forgive the theft, then."
A dimpled smile was his only answer as they drew close to Derek and Kathleen.
"Your grace," Derek stepped forward with an outstretched hand and a friendly smile, "'Tis good to finally make your acquaintance."
"Aye, and yours, Trent." The Duke replied, "I thank you for keeping my family safe. I do not presently know how, but I will see you rewarded." William and Derek shook hands firmly.
Derek chuckled, "'Twas my pleasure, your grace. Your daughter's hand shall be payment enough."
William's eyes transfered to Arianna, but Derek's remained focused on the Duke.
"Although, your grace," Derek continued, his easy charm much on display as he regained the Duke's attention, "If you have no objections, I would like to marry your daughter this evening."
"Is there reason for the urgency, Trent?" William asked, his voice was like velvet covered steel; pleasant upon first contact yet an underlying firmness sent shivers down the Duchess' spine. Kathleen noted the silence that had fallen over the deck. Though no man stared, she had no doubt that the entire crew waited for the next words to be spoken.
The Duchess had been a quiet observer through the conversation but the challenging look in her husband's eye and the crew's uneasiness coaxed her to become a participant.
"William, Darling," Kathleen stepped close to grasp his arm and bat her eyes up at him, "I have accepted numerous troths towards Trent's honor and have not been given any reason to doubt him."
Before William could respond, Alejandro stepped up to the group, "Should you find my captain dishonorable, your grace, you may have my head."
The crew began to set down the assortment of things that filled their hands.
William met the Spaniard's level eyed stare and was immediately given the impression of stern sincerity.
"Father." Arianna drew William's attention. "Derek has been most honorable, even in times when I may not have been."
Derek was becoming rather annoyed with the turn of conversation. His and Arianna's private business was exactly that; private. A few stolen moments where things had become slightly less than what a father might deem honorable came to mind, but for the most part what everyone was saying was true.
It was then that Derek heard the low rumble of stifled laughter behind him that he assumed was a response to Arianna's claim. A glance over his shoulder confirmed that his entire crew was standing behind him. His annoyance grew into an impertinent frustration.
"Were you men not given orders?" Derek snapped irritably at them, stifling their talk and laughter leaving only the sounds of ship and sea to fill the air in it's absence. The crewmen filed back to their duties as Derek turned back to the Duke. His irritation was met with a laughing perusal. The Duke's eyes shifted to his wife.
"Do you have any objections, Kathleen?"
"Nay, husband," Kathleen answered easily, "The children have waited long enough."
The Duke's eyes shifted to his daughter's, "Is this in accordance with your will, Arianna?"
Arianna's eyes left her father's to connect with Derek's. The Duke watched her features soften and a smile of joy added a certain sparkle to her eye, "Aye, father."
The Duke's eyes traveled back to his wife's, "My dear, it seems we are having a wedding."
"Right!" Kathleen turned from the group like a general turning to gather troops for battle.
"Your grace," Derek stopped her, "everything is being taken care of. Please, simply enjoy yourself."
Four sets of eyes were pinned on Derek; two sets of green with lifted winged brows above them, one set of steel gray with an amused silver sheen, and a pair of laughing dark eyes from his first mate.
"Captain, how long do you honestly think the woman can sit still?" Alejandro asked, earning a good natured glower from the Duchess.
"I can sit still just fine, young man, I simply choose not to. If my daughter is going to marry aboard a ship, rather than in a church, she will appreciate my efforts."
"Thank you, mother." Arianna smiled.
Carmelita joined the group and spoke quietly to Arianna. With a smile Arianna turned back to the men, "If you will excuse us, gentlemen?"
As the women turned and left them, the Duke turned to Derek and Alejandro, "Now that the women are occupied, I insist you join me for a libation."
*****
Arianna stepped from the bath and chuckled as her mother's voice carried into the cabin from the open porthole.
"No, no. More to the right. No, too far, back a bit... Perfect! Now, do not touch it!"
Arianna had no doubts that the entire ship was undergoing a complete transformation. Carmelita's laughing eyes met Arianna's as she handed her a towel and Arianna began to dry herself. Once she was dry she stepped into the dressing gown Carmelita held for her and began to rub the moisture from her hair as well.
A knock on the door interrupted the quiet, yet happy mood of the cabin. Carmelita tossed Arianna a curious look over her shoulder as she moved to the portal. When she pulled the door slightly open, Carmelita saw her husband's boots and breeches though his torso and face were hidden behind a stack of white rectangular boxes.
Carmelita laughed, "What is this, my love?"
Alejandro moved forward into the cabin and his shins collided with the wash tub that had yet to be removed. For a precarious moment the boxes threatened to fall into the wash water before Alejandro managed to secure his load once more. With a few side steps, Alejandro maneuvered through the cabin and deposited the boxes upon the bunk.
"What are they, Alejandro?" Arianna reiterated Carmelita's question as she looked over the boxes curiously.
"Your father bid me to bring them to you." Alejandro spoke to Arianna as he snaked an arm about his wife's waist and pressed a kiss to her temple.
"I must go, my list of duties is long, thanks to your mother." With one last kiss for his wife and a wink for Arianna, Alejandro moved from the cabin closing the door silently behind him.
The ladies exchanged a look and laughed together.
"I can only imagine what your mother has going on topside." Carmelita grinned as she unconsciously placed a hand over the cheek her husband had pressed his lips to.
Arianna saw the movement and, if possible, her smile grew even more. For their hardships, they are truly blessed. Arianna thought fondly, Alejandro and Carmelita are like newlyweds for a second time in their lives.
"Let us see what your father sent over, shall we?" Carmelita asked, a sparkle in her eyes betraying her excitement.
"Aye." Arianna turned to assess the boxes. Lifting the corner of the largest box she pushed the paper aside with her index finger. Silver silk embroidered with black roses met her eyes.
"Oh, my!" Arianna breathed, pulling her hand back from the box as if it contained a snake.
"What is it?" Carmelita asked, bemused with Arianna's change of mood.
Arianna lifted her eyes to Carmelita's. "'Tis the wedding gown I contracted before I left."
"But I thought you did not plan on honoring the betrothal when you left." Carmelita asked as she tilted her head.
"I did not. Ordering this gown had made the wedding seem so real and imminent." With a secretive smile, Arianna peeked inside the box again, "One could say this gown was half the reason I bolted."