Page 26 of For a Lady's Fiery Heart
Caroline nodded.
"Well, after several years had passed, the pirates decided to go back to the coast where she had been taken and see if they might coax a ransom out of her parents. However, by that time, the native boy and the girl had fallen in love. When the pirates came to the village to take her to their ship, the boy fought them off, and they escaped into the jungle.
A battle ensued between the blood-thirsty pirates and the natives. However, the natives knew the island much better than the evil pirates. The pirates lost many men that day, and the rest were expelled from the island–never to be seen again."
James's mouth hung slightly agape. When she said nothing further, he looked very distressed, wiping his mouth with his napkin. "Well, then what? Did she ever see her family again?"
"No, she did not," Caroline replied. "The natives gave her the choice to be taken home or to stay with the man she loved. She chose the latter."
Caroline had never thought of it before, but it was essentially what had happened to her. And she was not altogether sorry that she had found a place to belong with James. She smiled at him across the table, and he returned it.
"Well, I would say she got what she wanted,” James mused.
"Yes, she did. And very happy they were." Caroline finished the story with a flourish of her hand. She sighed. Not all of her childhood had been bad. No matter how hard things had gotten, her father remained cheerful. For that, at least, she was grateful.
James put down his fork and clapped his hands together. "Well, I am thoroughly filled. Are you finished?" he asked. She had not touched a bite of the dessert.
"Yes, I am finished," she affirmed. The footman helped pull her chair out for her, and she sighed. "Well, I suppose we should retire?" she asked, not knowing what else they could do for the night. They would continue cleaning in the morning and surveying the house to compile a report for James's father.
James shook his head. "Silas, you may clear the plates and leave us," he instructed. Caroline gave him a sideways glance and walked around to join him on the other side of the table when he motioned for her to do so.
"What is it?" she asked.
He placed a finger over his lips, nodding toward the two footmen as they exited the room with the dishes. When the door was closed, he smiled at her. "I thought we might have a dance?"
Caroline laughed. "A dance? Here? Now?" she asked.
"Yes, why not? I should like to dance with my wife in the house that will soon be ours. What do you say?" he asked, holding out his hand for her.
She did not take it right away. "But there is no music!" she protested.
James took her hand and led her to the end of the table where there was a little more space. He had her face him and bowed magnanimously. "You told me during our courtship–"
"Our very short courtship–" she interrupted with a laugh.
"Be that as it may, you told me that you enjoyed singing. Well, if you supply the music, I shall lead the dancing," James suggested. He straightened, holding out his hand once more. She hesitated, her heart beating wildly in her chest. He was so handsome and charming. How could she not accept his offer?
He wrapped his arm around her waist, and her heart skipped a beat. James pulled her close, enveloping her hand in his. The warmth spread through her hand, and a tingle travelled down her arm and through her spine. He rested his cheek against hers.
"Shall we dance?" he asked, prompting her to sing.
She was unsure she could fill her lungs with enough air to do the job justice. However, she cleared her throat and began to hum a simple tune. They began to sway gently and then turned in small circles as if to a waltz. Every fibre of her being seemed to come alive at his touch.
After several seconds, she stilled, unable to hum any longer. Instead, they listened to the rain beat upon the roof, composing a melody more beautiful than she could ever have hummed on her own.
"I never realised how pretty the sound of rain was until now," she whispered. She had always let her fear get the better of her. Now, here in James's arms, she was unafraid.
"Maybe you just needed someone to share the storm with to see its beauty?" James offered. He pulled her even closer, and she gasped softly. James turned his face toward her, his lips brushing against the corner of her lips. The sensation made her weak in the knees. He leaned away from her face, looking deep into her eyes. She was a little disappointed when he did not lean in and kiss her.
"You are so beautiful, Caroline," he whispered huskily. The sound of his voice sent butterflies swirling in the pit of her stomach, and her heartbeat picked up its pace even more.
How was she so drawn to this man she still barely knew? Two months ago, she had never dreamed that she would be in this position, on the edge of falling in love with her husband. A month ago, she had been angry at her father for trying to go behind her back to set up this marriage. Now, she was grateful beyond measure.
Caroline could not help but wonder at the immense blessing of her situation. She had married a man who was unlike any she had ever met. He was patient with her, so kind and thoughtful. Could a marriage of convenience lead to true love?
Chapter 15
James could have danced all night long. However, after several minutes of enjoying the music the rain had given them, Caroline stopped, pulling away from him slightly. She covered a yawn, laughing at herself. "Well, I hate to break up this lovely evening, but I find I am quite exhausted after the long journey."
