Chapter twenty-one
“Do be wary Caspin. He cheats horribly at cards.”
Derek lifted his eyes from his hand and rolled them.
“I do not cheat.”
“Oh yes you do.” Elanor said, finding a place under the tree near the table they played cribbage at. It had been too hot to do much else. Summer drawing towards its later months made the sun burn bright.
“Well,” he said tossing a card face down on the table, “If you’re going to make an accusation like that my lovely burde, why don’t you give full detail of the accounts so I may be held responsible?” She gave him a pique look before leaning back against the tree trunk. He flashed Caspin a grin at the obvious victory in making her quiet on that. The account would have been her losing three games in a row and having to do things he’d wanted to do with her; all of which were severely private encounters. He used to love her drive to win that made her over see the cheating he’d commit until it was too late.
Sometimes, though, she’d overlooked it on purpose.
Caspin shook his head, still looking over which card he’d select for the crib.
“She’s less agitated today.” His friend said low, finally choosing and tossing two on top of Derek’s.
“A bit.” It frustrated him how she pulled away from him that morning. Not physically but emotionally. He couldn’t quite pin the idea of it, but she just wasn’t yet the old Elanor yet.
He knew, she was out of reach and waiting for the right moment to try to talk him into leaving. Sometimes he wanted to grab her by the shoulders and shake her to her senses. To demand she let go of the past and curl with him for no reason again. Touch him in brush of fingers to a random place on his body, just to have contact.
The things he missed the most about her. The shared knowledge that they were meant for each other. At times his hope would rise by her actions and then she’d realize only to act irrational to prove it wasn’t so. He sighed, shaking his head, being equally quiet in tone when replying to Caspin.
“I did tell her that I would write a letter to her father so he wouldn’t worry and I’m sending it with Steppe the next time he goes to Antigua again.” He paused before admitting, “but, I don’t think I want to.”
“Do you think that’s a good idea?” Caspin said pegging his points. “I realize that once her Father knows she’s here, he’s going to demand her return but that would be lying. She’s not going to take that well.” Derek counted up his own points, tossing the cards to his friend to shuffle. He actually hadn’t thought of it when he’d promised Elanor to write to her Father, he’d just wanted her to calm down. But now that he was thinking on it, the point became more valid. If he sent the letter, the man would want his daughter returned to him and Derek had no intention of that. Had they been married legally, none of this would even be a question. He would be head of their house instead of her Father.
He glanced to Elanor again, King’s hulking body danced around her begging for a stick to be thrown. He would need to harbor a truth from her. If she did discover his ruse she’d turn away from him again. And their delicate truce would be damaged further.
Damn it, whenever he felt sure he was gaining he was set back five steps.
“Sorry Mate, I know you’re trying.” Caspin said after dealing the cards.
“Not your fault for pointing out the holes in the boat.”
“Odd that, she sometimes seems right at home here.” Caspin said. Derek watched her tap the ground with her stick, encouraging King as he hopped his front paws up and down on the spot. He could hear her saying ’Who’s a big strong dog?’.
“She’s determined to go back far north. One of the twin sisters, the one who was lost after the carriage accident, Elanor says she is alive. She was on her way to find her when we took the ship.”
“Is the sister thought to be up there?” Caspin asked surprised. “Why would her Father send Elanor to fetch her sister?”
“I don’t know. She won’t tell me more than that.” Derek said, looking at Caspin. “I told you, she’s always been allowed things most girls aren’t allowed.” Derek explained. “She’s been taught the old ways of her mother’s people but they lived in Port NewLlynn, in proper society. But as you can see…” He left the knowledge of her actions fill in the rest of that statement.
“I like her. Leelah and the children like her too. Hell, even Zo likes her and that old man doesn’t like most.” Caspin offered.
Derek nodded in agreement. Even as they talked, Elanor had gotten up from her spot under the palm tree to join Leelah, Breeze and Rowin to play catch with a leather ball.
They watched for a moment before resuming their own game of cards.
“I’m missing something, Casp. I can’t seem to get through to her. I think she wants to be here with me but… I don’t seem to do say or do what’s right. I honestly don’t know what to do. And as you pointed out that about her Father, she’s going to be raving like a lunatic again as soon as she figures it all out. I can’t win.” He said sourly. Caspin chuckled tossing away his hand so Derek could shuffle.
“You’re doing a fine job kicking my ass at cards.”
Derek shuffled, watching Elanor toss the ball up the air towards Rowin, her dress fluttering from movement.
“We’ll need to head to Antigua soon. Storms will be coming any day now I think.”
“Speaking of Antigua,” Caspin said conversationally. “Steppe and Leelah were telling me the other night that that Nelson fellow is coming soon to enforce the trade laws. Can’t see the Yanks being too happy about that.” Derek laughed, dealing five cards to each. “Winning is losing eh? They wanted their freedoms… well guess there is a price to that. More for us.”
“Aye, they’re now considered foreigners. Expected to pay tax to use the gate. I told Steppe to keep an eye on it. We might be able to play both sides on this one.” Caspin said. “You’re right, we should make a trip ourselves soon. I have some business to take care of.” He said looking to his wife.
“Yes, I know. I’d like to help with that.” Derek felt a bump to his leg. The ball had gotten away from them. He leaned over to lift it up ready to toss it back when he saw Elanor gesturing for him to toss it to her. He gave a toothy grin, holding his arm out with the ball palmed.
“Such a gentleman.” She said dryly taking the ball from his hand after begrudgingly walking over. He had a feeling she’d have more choice words if she could read his mind and what he’d like to have been doing to her.
“I do try my pretty burde.” Derek made a grand gesture with his hand. He enjoyed the view of her back side twitching naturally back and forth at an easier pace without the ball and chain.
Caspin cleared his throat.
“What’s the count at?” Derek asked laughing.
“Twenty four.”
“Go.” He said.
Caspin pegged his points.
“Why don’t you take her with you?”
“To Antigua? Bloody hell, she’d have the whole naval station after us Casp, don’t think she wouldn’t.” He muttered. “we can’t afford them looking at us too closely right now.”
“I don’t think she wants you jailed, Mate.”
“I wouldn’t bet on that.”
He wasn’t serious but Derek did know for sure she’d take the opportunity to make more trouble. He didn’t want to face the reality of what might be happening. His mind had begun to wonder if this had all been for naught. Should he just give in and take her back to Port NewLlyn? He knew the day would come soon where he’d have to face the truth. Either she wanted to be with him or not. They couldn’t live the rest of their lives like this. He watched her enjoying herself with the rest and frustration rose it’s ugly head up.
Again, his second Mate cleared his throat and they finished their game. Which Derek won and gotten hell for it. After paying for his loss, Caspin left the small make shift table to chat with his wife. Derek could tell Elanor felt as though she were intruding, coming over towards him with King in tow. A stick sailed by Derek’s side a little too close for comfort, a smug look on Elanor’s face told him she’d done it on purpose.
“I should take you back to the beach for another swim race.” Derek said, looking up at her. “It would wipe that cheeky look off your lovely face.” King returned with the stick, dropping it at her feet despite Derek calling him.
“Who’s a big strong dog? You’re such a good boy, yes you are!” She praised.
Derek grunted, pushing the dog back. “Traitor.”
“He’s a good judge of character.” She shot back.
He reached out to pull her into his lap, his lips tenderly brushing the hallow of the side of her neck. King nudged his big block head to wedge between them. Derek pushed him away with one hand; holding onto Elanor’s wiggling form with the other.
“Get your own female!” He grunted at the dog. King sniffed Elanor’s arm, turning to trot to a tree and lift his leg. “This is my territory mate!” Derek muttered, wrapping his arms firmly around her.
“Derek! Let me up.” She half muttered at him. “It’s not proper for us to be displaying in front of people. We’re not legally married!” He did let her up then when a thought hit him like a tidal wave. Derek started guiding her towards the path which she protested against.
“I didn’t mean that to be an invitation to go back to the house!” She snipped. He chuckled. “I know. We’re going to pack a few things for a trip.”
“We are really? Thank goodness!” Her voice held a shaking pitch. “I know Father and Nian are walking the floors away with worry.” Derek stopped. “We’re not going to Inglid, Ela.” He turned and called over his shoulder to Caspin.
“We’re all going to Antigua, Cas.”
Then he continued pulling her towards the house.
“Oh.” One word that held so much disappointment and he thought maybe sadness. But she didn’t know what he was planning. “Is it a big Island?” He heard the carefully guarded tone now.
“Yes, it’s one of the biggest around us to the south. Navy, trade, plantations, it’s a good sized place.” He led her into the house, shutting the door after King made it in.
“Make sure you pack some of your fashionable dresses. I realize its hot now, but you’ll only have to wear them when we’re off the ship.” He saw her face, knew she thought she was getting what she needed to head back to Port NewLlyn.
“Be sure to pack your favorite dress, one you’ve most comfortable in. We’ll be getting married while there.”
She turned around so fast she nearly fell. He stepped close to catch her, helping her get steady on her feet again. She pushed away from him.
“Married? You can’t be serious! Our families aren’t here, we have to set banns again and… you can’t just decide on a lark.” She said.
“I have a few favors coming to me. I’m going to cash them in, I’ll just have to pay a few extra coins and we’ll be legally married in the eyes of our King’s law.” He pushed her towards the stairs, having already made up his mind. Why he hadn’t thought of it before? Once they were married, she would be making an oath and promise to honor and obey. Then he wouldn’t have to worry about her Father having the power to take her back. She’d be his in all ways.
“This isn’t right.“ Her tone changed, the appeal coming. “Derek. What about our families? Mine thinks I’m fallen to pirates or dead!” She said when they’d reached the top of the stairs.
“Our marriage was approved by both our families before you left. It’s just been postponed.” He said lifting a packing trunk for her to put her things in. Derek ignored her staring at him, putting his own things into the trunk.
“Derek, I know that we- care a great deal about each other when we were young,” She said coming near to him. “But there are things we didn’t think about when we ran off on our trips. Things we should have thought about but was too young to consider. Responsibilities and differences of-”
“That’s nonsense and you know it. At least, somewhere in there you do.” He said taking a hold of her shoulders. “Whatever it is Elanor, it’s not yours to worry over any longer. I’ll write your Father as soon as we’re married and telling him so.”
“You can’t just decide that! You and I made a deal-”
“We’ve already tied the knot in the eyes of your mother’s people. We’ve made vows that were meant forever….we’re just making it legal in the eyes of our King.” His face burned hot and side of his temple felt like a pulse of blood would erupt at any time. He didn’t want her to protest. He wanted her to be excited about the idea as him. It would solve most of their problems in his eyes.
“There are things you don’t know. Things about me, Derek.” She said. “Things I don’t know how to say.”
“I’ve always been accepted everything about you, Elanor. We’ve known each other all of our lives. I grew up with you knowing you were a caster. An important one being a fifth generation of five.” He took a breath before speaking again. “Once we’re married, running around the world alone will not happen anymore. Your sister may have been in the North but the volcano has erupted. The people there have left to safer ground. We’ve just gotten word today.”
She lifted her chin meeting his glare straight on. The news seemed take a moment to sink into her thoughts. A swift expression of despair and pain washed over her face. Clearly Elanor had a gamut of agonizing emotions were brewing a storm within her. He braced for it.
“You wouldn’t have been able to track her down in time Ela. It was a long shot.” He tried to comfort her, even reaching out to pull her into a warm embrace. She changed direction of her thoughts like the gust of the wind. Equally as damaging. “I won’t consent to a lawful marriage. When we hand-fasted, it was on equal ground. We tied the knot which means- you don’t own me!” She said accusingly. Elanor trembled but kept him at bay.
Shaking his head then started throwing more things into the trunks he spoke with a soft tone.
“Fine, you won’t have to. Here, I don’t have to have your father’s consent nor yours. We will be legally married.” He wanted to comfort her. Not fall back into telling her what she would and would not be doing.
Perhaps he should have waited to tell her about the volcano after. He wished she’d confide in him and he could help her. She wouldn’t let him near and it suddenly felt like a punch to his gut. He watched her pace back and forth. He’d let it all sink into her mind, maybe after thinking about it all, Elanor might come to her senses.