“Why is that?” Curiosity lined his expression. “The least you can do is answer my question before I toss you overboard.”
“Fine. But this delay is most regretful.” Brand shook out his arms and sent water droplets flying in all directions. He shoved his fingers through his hair, putting the wet mass from his eye. “I love a woman listed on your manifest and I’ve only just realized it.” He huffed out a breath of frustration when the three men surrounding him stared blankly back. “She needs to know even if she chooses to reject me.”
“This is about a romance gone bad?” Confusion clouded his eyes.
“Perhaps, but I deserve to say those words to her, regardless of the outcome.” Panic took hold of Brand’s insides and twisted until he wished to cast up his accounts.
For the space of several heartbeats, the captain assessed Brand’s face. Finally, he asked, “Who is this woman that has driven you to this desperate pass?”
“Miss Elizabeth Hayhurst. She’s the sister of missionary William Hayhurst.”
“I see.” The captain narrowed his eyes. “Why should I do this?”
Fine, if the man wanted his credentials in order to take him at his word, so be it. “I’m Captain Francis Storme. I’ve spent years in the Navy and have missed it since. I lost my career as well as my eye in the battle of the Isle de France.” He paused, carefully considering his next words. “When a Navy man knows what he wants or has a suspicion, it’s more than a hunch. Don’t you agree?”
“I do.” The captain crossed his arms at his chest. A hint of admiration lingered on his face. “I’ve heard stories of you, Captain Storme.”
“Oh, I’ll wager you have.”
“You’re rumored to be one of the best England’s ever put on the sea.”
The praise warmed Brand’s cheeks. He ignored it, for there were more pressing matters at hand. “Aye, so about my current mission?”
“Ah.” Captain Bingham’s lips twitched. “The last I heard, you were making your way through England playing at being a rake. You’ve fallen into the parson’s mousetrap at last, have you?”
A tremor went down his spine. “If Elizabeth will have me.” There was no shame, no fear, no aversion to becoming wed. Only hope remained, and it burned bright in his chest. “However, I’ve been an arse and made rather a muck of things with her yesterday.”
“So have we all been at one time because of a woman.” Captain Bingham grinned, but the gesture didn’t reach his eyes, and they were haunted by memories only he knew. “I myself have recently become engaged to a woman I’ve met, but you’re right. When a Navy man knows, he just knows.”
Some of the anxiety clawing at Brand’s insides quieted. “Then, you’ll let me see her?”
“Aye.” Captain Bingham nodded. He glanced at the lieutenant. “Fetch Miss Hayhurst to this deck. Tell her she’d be smart to dress in her best, for unless I miss my guess, this will be a day she won’t want to forget. And she’ll at least wish to match her man’s effort of looking proper.”
“Aye, sir.” Once more the man loped off.
The captain landed his gaze on Brand once more. The heat of embarrassment went through his cheeks. “Where will you go should you win the heart of your lady?”
“Wherever the wind takes me.” He shrugged. “Wherever she wants to go.” His voice broke. “I have a schooner…” Obliged to swallow heavily to clear his throat, he then continued. “…but it means nothing without her.”
“Aye, I understand all too well. The sea and a woman go hand in hand.” Amusement twinkled in the captain’s eyes. Then he transferred his attention to the men around him. “Drop anchor, boys. We’ll allow a half hour delay so one of our own can win the heart of his lady.”
“Oh, thank God.” Brand nodded his thanks as relief shivered through him.
“It’s the least I can do for a Naval hero whom we all rallied around in the early days of our careers.” Captain Bingham smiled. “I wish you good fortune.”
The wait wasn’t long, for soon Elizabeth was escorted onto the deck by the young lieutenant, and every thought flew out of Brand’s head. He couldn’t remember how to breathe let alone his own name as the sunlight shimmered off the golden gown he’d sent her just days ago. She was a vision of loveliness, a siren direct from the sea, but the closer she came, the more clearly he discerned the anger and confusion in her expression. She’d been crying, that much was true, for her gorgeous eyes were red-rimmed and her cheeks were stained with muddled pink.
Surprise flickered over her face for an instant before grief stole it away. She glanced at him. “Why are you here?”
“To see you.” Obviously, he’d need to work twice as hard to make things right between them.
One of her brown eyebrows shot upward. “To humiliate me again? Didn’t you have enough of that yesterday?”
“No.” The words he wished to say were stuck in his throat. Why was it so bloody difficult? She was nothing like the other woman he’d fallen for; she’d shown that time and time again. Doing anything of this magnitude was a risk and made a man vulnerable, put him out there for hurt and ridicule, but Elizabeth was well worth that risk. “I…” Say it, man! You can see your path, so take it! “I needed to see you one last time.”
Devil take it, that wasn’t it!