Chapter Twenty
“Brand, you bastard!” Elizabeth’s shout echoed against the hull of the Bright Hope. A splash followed as she hit the water.
He glanced at Captain Bingham and shrugged. “Best to keep her guessing.”
The other man grinned. “Be the husband she needs, Captain Storme, for in her you’ve found your redemption, I think.”
“Aye.” With a salute and anticipation buzzing at the base of his spine, Brand dove over the side of the ship. As soon as the cool water closed about his body, he quickly surfaced and searched for her. “Lizzy?”
“Brand?” A bit of fright rang in that one word.
“I’ve got you.” He swam over to her location as she splashed, and once he held her about the waist, he pulled her close. She grabbed onto his shoulders while he paddled the water.
“As much as I appreciate the cool water, why did you do that?”
“How else was I supposed to get you to the schooner?” He pressed a quick kiss to her forehead. “Right now, we’re going to sail to London. I’ll introduce you to my family and procure a common license to marry.” As he talked, he propelled them through the water toward the schooner. When John poked his head over the side, Brand grinned. “John!”
“All right, Captain?” John’s grin was as wide as his own.
“Aye, but I’ll need assistance with my bride-to-be.” God, but it felt good to say that and know that Elizabeth would soon be his wife.
“Gladly, and might I offer my congratulations?” John extended an arm while Brand grasped her about the waist and hefted her upward until she’d grabbed his friend’s hand.
“You can.” As soon as John had reeled her onto the deck, Brand scrambled over the edge himself. His gaze went directly to Elizabeth, who stood sopping wet with the golden creation of a gown clinging indecently to her person as John stared at her. “Manners,” Brand whispered. He gave his best friend a light smack on the shoulder.
Elizabeth shivered. “What now?” Confusion filled her lovely eyes.
“Now I’m going to show you exactly how I feel about you so that you’ll have no doubts.” Awareness of her as a woman—his woman—rippled over his person and tightened his member, and he swept her into his arms.
“Right here?” Excitement and alarm twined through those words as her eyes rounded.
“Yes. Why not?” He angled his head for a kiss, but she planted a palm against his chest, holding him at bay, much to John’s amusement.
“Mr. Butler will see.”
“Let him.” Brand didn’t care, for he’d won her.
“I’m not decent in this dripping gown.”
Oh, how he wanted her! “You’ll be a fat lot more indecent in a few seconds, and that is something I don’t wish to share with John, no matter that he is my best friend.”
“Merciful heavens,” Elizabeth breathed. She looked away from John. A sigh escaped. “I don’t know that I’ll ever forgive you for the toss in the sea that ruined this beautiful garment.” She shook out the drenched skirts and the sunlight danced upon the numerous beads and spangles.
He exchanged a glance with John. It was undecided which one of them wore the bigger grin. “I’ve taken care of that. There are clothes in my cabin.”
A faint blush stained her cheeks. “Brand, have some decorum.”
“Can I help it that I want everyone to know how happy you’ve made me?” Again, he looked at his best friend. “Do you mind piloting the Lizzy for a while? I would like to have a private conversation with Miss Hayhurst.”
“I’ll wager you do.” John waved him off. “It’ll take at least ten hours to reach London. You have plenty of time… to talk.” He winked.
It was Brand’s turn to feel the heat on his neck and cheeks. “One day soon, I hope you’ll understand exactly what I’m going through.”
“From your lips to God’s ears, Captain.” John’s wide grin showed too many teeth as he waggled his eyebrows.
Elizabeth sucked in a breath as Brand took her hand and ushered her over the deck. “You named the schooner after me?”
“Aye. Once in London, I’ll hire a painter to make the changes upon the hull. Now you know you’ll never be forgotten.” It was the least he could do. “Come. I don’t want you falling ill, not when our lives together are just beginning.”