Epilogue

The island of Marguerite lay in the distance.

Their tender bobbed on the blue-green waters that surrounded the lush island. Two men from the crew rowed, carrying Luc, Isabelle, Gabriel, and Montague closer and closer to the shore.

A large throng had gathered on its beaches. Isabelle’s heart pounded as she scanned the crowd, looking for the one beloved face she hadn’t seen in too many years.

“Papa, does this island belong to France?”

“No. Caribs, pirates, and civil wars became too much trouble. They wanted no part of it, selling the French islands to their governors. This is a private island owned by Simon Boulenger, the commodore of the fleet of privateer ships that once sailed for France, before the war with Spain ended. I sailed under his command.”

“Pirates and Caribs? Are we in danger on the island, Papa?”

“You needn’t worry, Gabriel. This island is heavily fortified. The only reason we have not been attacked is because they’ve recognized our ship is French.”

“But they don’t know it’s us,” Isabelle said, still searching the faces in the distance for her sister.

“Not yet.” Isabelle heard the smile in her husband’s tone but didn’t turn around.

Where’s Sabine? The babe in her womb gave a light kick. Isabelle absently moved her hand to her belly and gave it a soothing rub.

“She’s right there,” Luc said in her ear, as if he’d read her thoughts.

She darted her gaze in the direction of his extended finger.

Dear God. Sabine!

Her sister stood beside a man she instantly recognized as Luc’s brother, Jules de Moutier. Sabine’s hand was over her brow, shielding the sun from her eyes. But she recognized her sister’s form, her blonde hair—instantly.

Isabelle leaped to her feet and waved both arms.

“Dieu.” Luc caught her around the waist to steady her. “Chérie, sit down. You’re going to fall in the water.”

Isabelle yelled her sister’s name, emotions she hadn’t allowed herself to feel since leaving home surging inside her.

Sabine’s hand dropped for a moment, then returned to her brow as she slowly moved away from the crowd and closer to the shoreline.

Looking unsure.

The tender was ever so close now. The land so temptingly near. Isabelle yelled out her sister’s name again.

This time, Sabine screamed, “ISABELLE!” and again, “’Sabelle! ’Sabelle!” Grabbing her skirts, Sabine ran into the water, pressing against the lapping waves, fighting to get to her.

Isabelle hadn’t heard that affectionate name her sister used to call her by in so long. She jumped into the water.

“Isabelle!” Luc exclaimed. Montague began to bark. But she didn’t turn around. The waves pushed her toward the shore, aiding her along. Sabine’s arms were outstretched to her. Tears streamed down both their faces. Sabine still fought against the current. Isabelle couldn’t get to her fast enough. A strong wave shoved her forward, and she caught hold of Sabine’s hands. The next wave shoved her into her sister’s arms.

A cry came from both of them as they held each other tightly, not wanting to let go. Isabelle closed her eyes and buried her face in her twin’s wet hair. Then she pulled back, needing to see her face.

She cupped Sabine’s cheeks. Her sister did the same. Their tears mingled with the seawater splashing against them.

“I don’t know… I don’t understand…how you are alive…” Sabine sobbed with joy. “And, oh!” She felt a kick from Isabelle’s swollen belly that was pressed against hers. Sabine’s gray eyes widened. She placed her hands on Isabelle’s swollen stomach. “You’re…?”

“I am. And I am alive and well, with a son, Gabriel, and married to someone you may know. Luc de Moutier.”

Sabine let out a shriek of joy just as Luc caught up to Isabelle, grasping her elbow. “Perhaps we should go to the shore?” was all that left Luc’s lips before Sabine threw her arms around him and squeezed him tightly. Waves splashing against the three of them. Isabelle saw Luc flinch only slightly. Her sister looked up at him and said, “Thank you! How did you find her?”

Luc smiled down at her. “My very wise sister-in-law gave me some journals that helped.”

Jules reached them just then, a giant grin on his face.

“This is Isabelle!” Sabine told him and hugged her again, as more waves splash against them.

Jules placed a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “I don’t know how to thank you enough for finding Isabelle and for bringing her here.”

Luc shrugged, smiling good-naturedly. “No need to thank me. My wife and I wanted to pay you a visit. There is much to catch up on and discuss.”

“Wife?” The older Moutier brother turned to her, still sporting his big grin, kissed her hand, and said, “Welcome to the family. I am thrilled you are both here.”

“Thank you,” she said.

“Pardon me. Is there a reason the four of you are having a conversation in the sea?” a handsome man called out from shore, his arm around a beautiful dark-haired woman whose eyes were filled with tears watching their emotional exchange. Sabine was back to hugging Isabelle. She laughed and said, “That is Simon Boulenger and his wife, Angelica. We are all delighted he found someone to steal his heart. Now, come. I can’t wait to let our family know you’re here.” Sabine held her hand as they made their way to the beach.

The tender reached the shore just then, and Gabriel jumped out, racing to her. He was instantly showered with affection from his very wet aunt and uncle, who told him about his cousins awaiting them at home—Isabelle and two-month-old Luc.

They walked out of the water toward the crowd that was eager to greet them. Isabelle couldn’t wait to see the rest of her family.

“Good Lord. Is that some sort of small horse?” Jules asked.

“No. He’s a dog,” Luc assured his brother. “He’s part of the family and he likes human beds.”

“And chicken,” Gabriel supplied.

Simon slapped Luc’s brother on the back with a laugh. “Glad he will be staying with you, Jules.”

Isabelle walked hand in hand with her sister and Luc toward the waiting carriages as Gabriel gleefully raced back and forth along the beach with Montague.

Her heart was full.

Her world now complete.