Brody’s eyes opened and he thought he’d been dreaming. Could the man standing in front of him really be his old friend, Edwin?
“Edwin,” he whispered, sitting up straight, not at all sure he hadn’t passed out for a moment. Feeling lightheaded and tired, all he wanted to do was eat and sleep. “Is it really you?”
“God’s eyes, I thought the pirates had killed you.” Edwin pulled up a stool and sat with them at the table.
“He’s hurt and starving,” said Gwen.
“Abigail, hurry and bring us some food.” Edwin motioned to the same serving girl who had scowled at them when Brody took the ale. “More ale, too.”
“But they have no money,” complained the girl, raising a brow. “I hope this isn’t another one of those pirates you let in here for free.”
“Just bring it,” commanded Edwin. His eyes dropped to Brody’s leg. “Have Anthony prepare a room for my friend. Set up a bath and get some healing herbs and thread. He’s wounded.”
The girl left, talking to herself.
“Are you the friend Brody told me about that dared him to carve his name on the wall of the cave?” asked Gwen.
“Aye,” Edwin answered with a chuckle. “That I am. And who are you?”
“I’m Gwen. Gwen . . . Banks,” she said, looking over at Brody.
Brody groaned inwardly. Why had he ever suggested she take the same surname she’d given him? It had slipped from his tongue so easily, but now he wished he could take back the suggestion.
“She’s with you?” Edwin raised a brow at Brody.
“She’s the daughter of a fisherman named Cato Fisher.” Brody drained the tankard and thunked it down on the table.
“Did you say, Cato?” Edwin’s face darkened.
“Have you seen my father?” asked Gwen anxiously. “We were thrown off the ship in a storm after lightning hit the mast.”
“Nay. I haven’t seen him in a while now,” said Edwin. “Not since his sons left him to pirate the seas on their own.”
“What?” Gwen blinked twice. “My brothers, Aaron, Tristan, and Mardon are not pirates. They wanted more from life than to be fishermen and that’s why they left. They all have respectable jobs working overseas.”
Edwin chuckled. “Who told you that?”
“My father,” she snapped.
“I see Captain Cato has managed to keep the truth from his only daughter all these years.”
“My father is a captain of a fishing ship. He’s a fisherman.”
“Listen, Gwen. I think I ought to know better than anyone whose fault it is that pirates come in here all the time demanding free food and drink or they’ll kill us,” Edwin told her. “Your father and brothers were the ones who started it years ago. If I ever see Cato again, I’ll give him a piece of my mind.”
“Here’s some pottage and fresh brown bread.” The serving wench slapped it down on the table. “I’ll be back with more ale. And Anthony says the room is ready. The water is still being heated for the tub, but they can go up whenever they want. Your wife is getting a needle and thread for your friend as well.”
“Thank you, Abigail.” Edwin reached into his pocket and flipped her a coin. She smiled, stuck it in her cleavage and left the table.
Brody was so hungry that he dug into the food. Ripping off a hunk of bread, he dipped it in the bowl of pottage that would be shared by everyone at the table. Then he shoveled it into his mouth. “You’re married?” he asked, not looking up but continuing to eat.
“I am. How about you? Is this your wife?” asked Edwin.
Brody glanced up to see Gwen looking like she was about to cry. “Here, Gwen. Have some food.” He pushed the bowl over to her. He’d been so hungry that he hadn’t even thought that she might want some.
“I’m not hungry.” She pushed it back. “And my father is not a pirate.”
Edwin and Brody’s eyes interlocked. Brody shook his head slightly, warning his friend not to continue.
“If you’re not hungry, why don’t you wait for me in the room?” suggested Brody. “You take the first bath. It’ll warm your bones.”
“I’ll have my wife wash and dry your clothes by the fire,” said Edwin.
“Aye.” She stood as if in a daze.
“Marta, come here.” Edwin flagged down his wife who came to join them. “This is my childhood friend, Brody, and this is Gwen.”
“I’m happy to meet you,” said the woman. She was a short woman with a round face and a big smile. Her stomach looked very large. Brody was sure she was pregnant.
“We’re having our first baby soon,” she told them, rubbing her belly.
“I’m happy for you,” said Brody. “Would you mind taking Gwen upstairs? I’ll be there soon.”
“Of course.” The woman took Gwen by the arm and directed her toward the stairs. “I’ll tend to your wound when you’re ready,” she called over her shoulder.
Once the women left, Brody continued eating. Abigail plunked two tankards of ale on the table and left. He grabbed one and chugged down the liquid.
“Slow down,” laughed Edwin. “You are eating and drinking as if you haven’t had food in a sennight.”
“I haven’t.” Brody finished off the pottage and pushed back in his chair and sighed.
“Well, are you going to tell me what happened?” asked Edwin.
“I was taken by pirates. You know that.”
“Aye. I returned to the cave with men from the village to rescue you, but the ship was already gone. I’m sorry, Brody. I’ve thought of you every day since it happened. It should have been me they abducted, but you gave yourself up to them instead. How can I ever repay you?”
“I did it because you were a good friend, Edwin. I had nothing to lose, but you had everything. You had a family and siblings and a business that would be yours someday.”
“The inn is mine now, Brody. My father died. My brother, Anthony, helps me to run it. And I’m happily married with a child on the way. I owe everything to you. Just tell me what I can do to help you and I’ll do it.”
“Take back that comment you made about Gwen’s father and brothers being pirates,” he mumbled.
“I wish I could.” He looked over his shoulder at the women climbing the stairs. “Unfortunately, it’s true. We were young and didn’t realize it, but my father ended up telling me everything. Cato was a drunk and not very good as a fisherman either. His wife threatened to leave him if he couldn’t support the family. He started to pirate just to get what they needed to survive. When his sons got older, they joined him. But they kept the truth from Cato’s wife and daughter. One night, his wife found out. They fought and he pushed her. She hit her head and died. I am sure he never told Gwen the truth of how her mother passed away.”
“No, I don’t think she knows. What happened to Gwen’s brothers?”
“After their mother died, they blamed their father for everything. They decided to leave. They took his ship and haven’t returned since. Cato managed to secure another ship, but it’s nothing compared to the Falcon.”
“Then Gwen’s brothers are still pirates?”
“They are, as far as I know.”
“The Falcon,” Brody said in thought. “God’s toes, I know that ship. We had a run in with it years ago. One-Eyed Ron made a deal with the captain. They had rights to the channel and we claimed the territory on the west coast.”
“So that’s why they’ve never returned.”
“And that’s why Gwen’s old man hates pirates.”
“It is a part of him that’s ruined his life,” said Edwin. “It has ruined yours, too, Brody. I’m sorry.”
“It didn’t ruin my life. While I rejected One-Eyed Ron and his crew at first, I ended up meeting Rowen. He was a boy when they abducted him as well. He’s a wonderful man and my best friend now.”
“Really. Then why did he make you walk the plank?” Edwin raised his brows.
“Nay, it wasn’t him. Rowen is one of the bastard triplets of King Edward. He once raided the king under the guise of being the Demon Thief. Now he pays his father fealty instead.”
“Aye, I’ve heard the story. Word travels fast.”
“He gave me the Sea Mirage, but now my crew has become mutinous. I don’t believe he even knows about it. I need to get back to Whitehaven to talk to him.”
“I’ll lend you a horse and cart. As soon as your leg is better, you can go. But what about the girl?”
Brody’s eyes traveled to the stairs that led to the rooms overhead. His heart went out to Gwen. She didn’t deserve to be lied to. He was going to have to tell her the whole truth about her father and brothers. How could he let her go back to a man like that? All Brody wanted was to protect her.
“I can’t leave her here. We don’t even know if her father is alive. The ship got damaged badly in the storm. Even if he did survive, I don’t think she’d want to go back to him once she hears he’s the one responsible for the disappearance of her brothers and the death of her mother.”
“Then what are you going to do?” asked Edwin.
Brody pushed up from the table, knowing what he would do. It was the answer to all Gwen’s problems. “I’m going to protect her,” he said. “Edwin, I know this sounds odd, but remember that wall in the cave that I carved my name into all those years ago?”
“Of course.” Edwin stood as well. “How could I ever forget?”
“Have you ever heard of a crazy legend that if two people touch it at the same time, they’ll fall in love?”
Edwin laughed. “My wife believes that, but I think it’s only a wretched lie made up by a love-struck woman.”
“I thought so at first, too. But now I’m not so certain.” Brody could think of naught else but Gwen. How could he go through life never seeing her again? He wanted to be there for her and to protect her from souses like her father. She needed him in her life, even if she deserved someone so much better.
“You aren’t starting to believe that alewives’ gossip, are you?”
“I touched the wall at the same time as Gwen.” Brody’s eyes traveled to the stairs. He needed to get back to her side.
“And you’re saying you two are in love now?”
“Nay, I’m not saying that at all. That would be ridiculous. But I do feel something for her. We kissed and now I can’t think of anything but being with her.”
“It’s lust, Brody. Mayhap I can lend you one of the whores for the night.” Edwin raised his hand in the air and started to call one over.
“Nay, it’s not lust.” Brody reached out and lowered his friend’s hand. “It’s more than that. I can’t explain it. It’s like I’ve known her my entire life although I’ve just met her. When I’m with her, it feels right. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I can see spending the rest of my life with her, Edwin.”
“Brody, this doesn’t sound like you. What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to do the only thing that will take her away from her father and all the hurt she’s endured - or is going to have to face when she knows the entire truth about her family.”
“What does that mean, you fool?”
“It means I’m going to ask her to marry me.”