Chapter Five
Gwen sank into the tub of hot water, trying to stop crying. Had she been so gullible her entire life that she didn’t know her father had once been a pirate? She wouldn’t believe it if she hadn’t seen him and her brothers in the tavern years ago with their booty. It all made sense now. She’d never mentioned it to her father, but she did tell her mother what she’d seen that night. It was right afterward that her mother slipped on the floor and died.
With her eyes closed and her head partially under the water, she didn’t even hear Brody enter the room. But when she opened her eyes, there he was, standing at the other end of the tub, staring down at her body in the water. She sank lower, crossing her arms over her chest.
“I didn’t hear you come in. Why didn’t you make your presence known?”
“You looked so peaceful and comfortable. I didn’t want to disturb you.”
“I’ll get out so you can use the bath.”
“Don’t bother.” He pulled off his headscarf and then his torn tunic. His fingers reached for his belt.
“Why not?” she asked, sure he meant they could use it together. Part of her was excited by that idea and another part was terrified.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea to emerge my wound in the soapy water.”
“Oh.” She sat up slightly and the water splashed over the rim. “I’ll get out then if you’d just please turn around.”
“Of course.” He turned around, bending over to kick off his boots. She hurriedly exited the tub and wrapped herself in a drying cloth big enough to cover her body. “Marta has taken my clothes to clean. She left me one of her gowns to wear in the meantime. She said it won’t fit her right now since she’s pregnant. She left you a pair of her husband’s breeches and a tunic.”
She removed the towel and reached for the gown. He turned around just then.
“Oh!” She clutched the tunic to her chest. Their eyes met. The outline of his body was illuminated by the fire in the hearth behind him. Most rooms in an inn didn’t have a private hearth. But this room was the one usually used by Edwin and his wife, and they were the proprietors.
“You – you’re beautiful,” he said, his eyes still fastened to her.
“You are very handsome yourself.”
“I don’t know why you hide under those clothes of a boy. You are a woman and should be proud of it.”
“Here.” Holding the towel in front of her with one hand, she gave him Edwin’s clothes with the other. “I’ll just be a minute.”
Their hands brushed against each other when he took the clothes. It was enough to send a flittering tingle up her arm. He jerked backward at the same time.
“You felt it, too, didn’t you?”
“I did,” he admitted. “I also felt something between us in the cave.”
“Why did you lie then?” Her hands trembled.
“I don’t know. I guess I didn’t want to admit that something so beautiful could come from a place that was so horrible to me years ago.”
“You mean the cave. When the pirates took you, right?”
“Aye.” He turned around, allowing her the privacy to dress. When she donned the gown and faced him again, he was naked, putting on the breeches.
A gasp caught in her throat when she saw his well-toned body. Brody wasn’t the tallest man she’d ever met, but he had muscles just as large as any sailor. He fastened the tie around his waist, not bothering with the tunic. Then he sat down on the edge of the bed, rolling up his pant leg, inspecting his unwrapped wound.
“Oh, how thoughtless of me. Please, let me help you.” She ran over to him, picking up a bandage from the bed along the way. “Let me see that.”
Brody felt Gwen’s body heat next to him and then the gentle touch of her slim fingers on his leg. He’d discovered downstairs his wound didn’t need to be stitched. It was just a flesh wound and probably hurt so bad since it was on the joint.
“I’ll clean it properly this time.” She used a rag and water from the tub, rinsing the soap off the wound with clean water from a ceramic ewer. “It doesn’t look as bad as I thought.” She sat down next to him and wound the cloth bandage around his wound.
Brody could smell rosewater in her wet hair. It was intoxicating. He couldn’t help himself. He leaned over and kissed her on the head. She stopped and turned her face upward.
“What was that for?”
“I was . . . thanking you for caring for me. It’s been a long time since anyone has done that.”
Her lips turned up in a smile. Then she boldly reached out and kissed him on the mouth. Her essence filled his senses, making his heart swell. It felt right to be with Gwen. He wasn’t sure if it was because of the silly legend or just fate, but he honestly cared for her.
“What was that for?” he asked in return.
“You saved my life when I fell from the ship in the storm.”
“I see.” He lifted her chin gently and kissed her again. This time the kiss lingered. He wasn’t in a hurry to pull away. “That’s for saving my life when you plucked me from the sea to begin with.”
Her eyes closed slightly and she relaxed, her body leaning up against his chest. Her lips glistened and her cheeks were rosy. The flames in the hearth flickered over her face, making her look like an angel. He brushed back a wet curl from her face.
“I suppose this could go on all night,” she commented.
“I’d like it to, Gwen. I’ve never met anyone like you before. But there is something we need to discuss.”
Her body immediately went rigid. “I don’t want to talk about my father and brothers being pirates because it’s not true.”
“Edwin told me more. It is true and I think you know it.”
Tears fell from her eyes. He brushed them away. “I think I knew for a long time but didn’t want to admit it.”
“Edwin said your father took to pirating to support your family. Your mother didn’t know about it. When she found out – they argued. Cato pushed her and she fell – and died.”
“Nay!” Her big, blue orbs looked up in horror as she shook her head.
“Yes, Gwen. It was an accident, I’m sure. But your father is responsible for the death of your mother.”
“He’s not,” she said, shaking her head vigorously. The tears flowed faster now.
“You’re going to have to stop denying the truth, no matter how hard it may be.”
“My father didn’t kill her. I killed her, Brody.”
“What are you saying?”
“I wasn’t supposed to tell my mother I saw them in the tavern that night. But I was only seven years old. Of course, I told my mother. So, you see, I’m the reason they argued. I’m responsible for my mother’s death.”
“Shhh,” he told her, cradling her head against his chest and rocking her gently. “It was an accident and you are not to blame. She would have found out sooner or later and they still would have argued.”
“God’s eyes, I hope I’m not the reason my brothers left as well.”
“Edwin told me that after your mother’s death, your father took to the bottle. They had enough of his antics. Your brothers stole his ship and left.”
“Why would they do that?” she cried. “And why would they leave me behind?”
“I don’t have the answers, but I know they are pirates, Gwen. The Sea Mirage ran across their ship, the Falcon, years ago. We had an understanding. They were sent to raid up and down the channel while we controlled the west coast.”
“You saw them? My brothers are really pirates?”
“I don’t know them personally and I was young at the time, just like you. But I’m sure they were on the ship.”
“I’m so much younger than my brothers.” She dabbed at her tears with the sleeve of her gown. “Do you think that’s why they didn’t take me with them?”
“It could be,” he said. “I suppose we’ll never know.”
“We will.” She sat up straighter and lifted her chin. “When my father returns, I am going to confront him and ask him all about this.”
“If he returns.” Brody felt like a scoundrel, secretly wishing the man had died at sea. But it would be the best for Gwen. Then she wouldn’t have to feel the hurt of this whole situation. Plus, it would be better for him. Because he had a feeling her father was not going to sit still once he found out that Brody planned on marrying his daughter.