"Mrs. Mandry I assure you I have no interest in meeting anyone," Loreli told the woman that had grown to be her mother over the years. "Really, I'm fine."
"Nonsense," Mrs. Mandry argued, knowing better. "You're turning thirty this year and your son is lost. You need the comfort of a man."
Loreli smiled in politeness. "I know it's the way," she admitted. "But I'm really not interested. My age doesn't matter and I know my son is alive somewhere. When I am interested, then I'll be interested." She slipped behind the partition to dress for the days' events.
Mrs. Mandry pretended not to hear her. "This man is incredible," she continued, helping the young maid make Loreli's bed. "He's next in line for governor. His family has been in Port Royal for generations and he's quite well off, able to provide for a family. He'll be the guest of honor at the party tonight."
Finished dressing, Loreli appeared from behind the partition with a heavy sigh. "So I have no choice but to meet him then?" she asked, crossing her arms. She knew Mrs. Mandry meant well but she was really fine.
"He has seen you," she told Loreli. "He knows of Jackson's…disappearance. He did not think it proper to approach you at any time before now." She smiled. "Such a gentleman he is."
"Fine," Loreli relented, knowing she could not embarrass the Mandry's and their guests. "But don't expect anything!"
Mrs. Mandry smiled in victory. "Of course not, Darling."
Later that evening, as Loreli dressed for the party, she kept telling herself that she did not need a man, that she was fine by herself, that she would speak to him politely but give him the cold shoulder to show everyone, including him, she did not need him. She didn't care about his "generations" having been in Port Royal for years or his ability to "provide for a family". Another child was the last thing Loreli needed or wanted.
As she closed the door to her chamber, she applied the last of her makeup; her polite smile; and then descended down the stairs to greet the guests.
Immediately, Mrs. Mandry found her and grabbed her wrist. "Come, dear," she said, hurrying them through the small crowds of guests. "He's already asked about you."
"Mrs. Mandry, really I…"
"Mr. Swann, may I introduce Loreli Spencer," Mrs. Mandry said proudly. "Loreli, Mr. Weatherby Swann."
Loreli wasn't expecting an older man as he looked to be in his forties. While he wasn't the most attractive man she'd met, there was an elegance about him that proved why he would soon be governor, a refined sophistication that radiated around him.
Reaching for her hand and gently kissing the top of it, Weatherby smiled, pleased at the sight standing before him. "Hello Miss Spencer," he greeted warmly. "They failed to mention your beauty would take my breath away."
His genuineness caught her off guard. "Thank you," she said with a small smile.
"Why don't you two go for a walk through the garden?" Mrs. Mandry suggested. "It'll be dark soon and the flowers are just beautiful this time of day."
"That's a lovely idea," Weatherby said, offering his arm to Loreli. "Shall we?"
Shooting Mrs. Mandry a look, Loreli smiled at him. "We shall," she said, linking her arm with his as they walked through the house and out to the garden.
They were quiet until they were outside and no longer surrounded by curious ears. "I must apologize for my rudeness," Weatherby said first. "I have seen you in the port but didn't think it proper to introduce myself at the time."
"That's quite all right," Loreli said with a small smile. "You probably saw me with my son and I'm sure I had my hands full anyway."
He laughed. "Yes there were a couple times," he agreed, remembering her trying to reason with the stubborn child. "Jackson did have quite the reputation, didn't he?"
Loreli smiled, remembering the fondness she felt for him. "Yes he was something," she said. "A spirited child he was."
Weatherby stopped walking for a moment to face Loreli. "I was very sorry to learn of his disappearance," he said, his face growing serious. "I know it can't be easy."
"Jackson is fine," she told him. "I have no doubt that my son will be quite able to take care of himself. I do miss him but hopefully will see him again some day."
"I could send ships out to search for…"
"No," Loreli said immediately. "He does not want to be found and I don't want him here against his will. The sea called to him while he was still inside me. It's in his blood and I want him happy above everything else."
Weatherby wanted to ask but didn't want to seem nosey as that was improper. "His father was a seaman?" he asked, hoping he wasn't stepping over the line.
"Yes he was," Loreli answered, not giving any more details. It wasn't anyone's business who Jackson's father was. It didn't matter now anyway.
As they began walking again, Weatherby changed the subject. "I guess you know I will be governor here in a couple years," he said. "And my family has owned the Swann Plantation up on the hill overlooking the ocean for years."
"Yes I've seen it," Loreli told him. "It's a beautiful place."
"I…um…would be most honored if you would join me for dinner one night this week," Weatherby said. "Nothing serious. Just a simple dinner."
Loreli smiled. Somehow, she didn't think "simple dinners" were possible at the Swann Plantation. But there was something real about Weatherby Swann, something almost shy about him that Loreli found interesting. She'd always thought those "refined" were just plain boring but Weatherby was…well…a gentleman. Loreli wasn't used to those.
"Yes dinner would be lovely," she told him.
"William, where are we going to stay?" Catherine asked as they descended down the ramp from the merchant ship they bought passage onto from Tortuga.
"We'll find an inn," he answered. "They should have a room we can stay in for a couple days until I can get some work and find us a place. I can ask around about Loreli too."
She smiled at William. "I'm scared," she admitted. "But excited. I've never left Tortuga."
"The first thing we're going to do is marry," he told her. "Then our life can officially begin."
They stopped walking long enough to kiss quickly before beginning their trek into the port.
"Do you have a room for the night?" William asked the man in charge of the inn.
"Yes I do," he answered. "Your last name?"
"Turner."
William gave the innkeeper the money he required for the roomand helped Catherine up with their things. The room was simple and very similar to the room they'd shared in Tortuga.
"Let's get something to eat," Catherine suggested. "I noticed a tavern across the way."
William pulled her close, kissing her gently. "I love you," he said.
She smiled, happy in his embrace. "I love you too," she said, and then laughed. "But I'm famished."
He laughed and took her hand as they left the inn and walked across to the tavern.
"Serving dinner?" William asked a woman wearing a small apron.
"Sure am," she answered. "Have a seat. I'll be right over."
William and Catherine chose a small table near the window.
"We've got chicken or pheasant with potatoes," the woman said when she returned. "And tea to drink."
Catherine nodded as William answered, "Two chicken dinners please."
Conversation was light as they watched people walking up and down the narrow street and listened to others talking that entered the tavern. They wanted to learn whatever they could.
William perked up when he saw a man enter who looked well off. He was an older gentleman whom the barmaid addressed as "Doctor Norrington". Catherine and he exchanged glances.
"Maybe I could inquire with him about Loreli," he whispered.
"He's probably the only doctor in the port," she added. "Go ask him."
William took a deep breath before standing up and approaching the man who'd chosen to sit at the bar.
"Excuse me, Sir?"
Doctor Norrington faced William. "How can I help you?" he asked.
"Sir, my…wife and I just arrived from…Portobelo and I believe that my cousin resides here," William explained. "Would you happen to know a Loreli Spencer?"
"Ah yes," Doctor Norrington said with a smile. "Yes you are correct. Miss Spencer lives with the Mandrys; have for years now. Shame about her son though."
William's eyes grew wide. "A son Sir?" he asked, trying to hide his shock. "If you don't mind me asking, what happened?"
"When Miss Spencer arrived here…oh I guess it was about twelve years ago now…her husband had died and she was with child," Doctor Norrington answered. "I sent her to the Mandry's so they could help take care of her and that's where she stayed. Jackson was her son; quite an obstinate and difficult child. She had her hands full with him. He disappeared almost a year ago believed to have stowed away on a ship."
"I…I didn't know," William said. "We hadn't kept contact. May I go see her?"
"I'm sure she'd love to see family," Doctor Norrington said and gave him directions to the Mandry's house. "Tell her I said it's time for another check-up."
"Thank you very much," William said, shaking his hand. "My wife and I will be staying here so I hope to see you again."
"Nice to meet you," Doctor Norrington said as William walked back to the table.
"What did he say?"
William's wide eyes met Catherine's inquisitive ones. "She had a son," he told her. "I can't believe it. She was pregnant when she arrived here years ago. But he recently stowed away on a ship." He shook his head. "I just can't believe it."
"Do you know where she is?"
Nodding, William answered, "Yes and we can go tomorrow. I'm just in shock."
Loreli was in the garden replacing her favorite roses when Mrs. Mandry approached her. "You have visitors," she told her.
"Visitors?" Loreli repeated. "Who?"
With a warm smile, Mrs. Mandry answered, "Come see."
Loreli followed Mrs. Mandry into the main hall where the guests waited.
"William!" she exclaimed when she saw her cousin standing there. She ran over to him and they hugged tightly. "I didn't think I'd ever see you again! What are you doing here?"
"It's so good to see you," William said, holding her in his arms. "You are a sight for sore eyes, you are." They separated as he turned towards his fiancée. "Loreli, this is my fiancée Catherine Deel. Catherine, my cousin Loreli Spencer."
"I've heard so much about you," Catherine said with a smile. "William just adores you."
"And I him," Loreli said, taking them both by the hand into the parlor. "Please, you must fill me in after all this time!"
William told of his years with Riddick and how much worse it got, causing Loreli to be thankful she was put off in Port Royal. He explained how he met Catherine three years ago in between voyages and how they were to be married soon.
"Are you still…," Loreli lowered her voice. No one knew of their shared secret. "In the same line of…sailing?"
He smiled at her careful choice of words. "Yes I'm afraid so," he answered. "It's been too long now. But I do try to be more careful. I learned many lessons from Riddick." He paused, ready to hear of Loreli's son. "And apparently he left a part of him with you aye?"
"Yes," Loreli said, not allowing herself any sadness. "I had a son I named Jackson after my father. He was something else, he was. When I was almost to term, I'd walk along the shoreline and he'd kick as if he were trying to get out. Ever since he could walk and talk, all he wanted was the water. He drove the entire port crazy with his antics. I'm surprised I wasn't hung. A couple years before he left, he said something to me I'll never forget. I was telling him he needed to come inside and go to bed but he wanted to sleep in this little boat that he'd built. I explained that we went home to sleep. He says to me 'but Mommy the ocean is my home and the boat is my bed'. Two years later he finally found a way to leave."
"Sounds like he wanted the ocean more than anything," Catherine said.
Loreli smiled at William. "Well he did that quite honest, didn't he?" she said with a laugh. "Between his father and mother, he didn't stand a chance."
"Do you think he'll be all right?" Catherine asked.
"Yes I do," Loreli answered. "Jackson was the smartest person I think I've known. To listen to him and watch him was incredible. I don't know what path he'll choose but he will stand out wherever he is."
"I bet he looked like you," William said, picturing a small boy with Loreli's dark hair and eyes.
"He did," she agreed. "Not much of Riddick in him at all as far as his looks. And I'm hoping not his personality; the bad anyway."
"Riddick was a brilliant man," William said. "He just used his talents for bad."
"Well, tell me, when are you two getting married?" Loreli asked, to change the subject. "You could marry in the garden if you'd like. It's beautiful."
William and Catherine looked at each other. "We wanted to do it as soon as possible really," he said. "We just arrived in port yesterday."
"How did you find me so soon?" Loreli asked.
"Doctor Norrington was in the tavern we had dinner at last night," William explained. "When I heard he was a doctor, I figured my odds were good he knew you."
"Catherine," Loreli said with a smile. "We must go shopping and get you a dress. How about we go tomorrow?"
"Oh that would be wonderful," she said. "I haven't looked at any dresses or anything."
"Excuse me a moment," Loreli said, leaving the room to find Mrs. Mandry, who was out on the terrace. "Mrs. Mandry may I ask a favor?"
"Of course they can stay here," she answered. "I'd accept nothing else."
Loreli smiled, knowing her mind had been read. "They wish to marry," she said. "And I was thinking perhaps the garden?"
Mrs. Mandry beamed, clapping her hands together. "Yes!" she exclaimed. "That would be beautiful. Think Saturday would be too soon?"
Remembering the love floating between William and Catherine, Loreli whispered, "It might be too late!"
"Oh you!" Mrs. Mandry said, getting up from her chair. "Come, let's tell them our plan."
"Mr. Swann, this is quite beautiful," Loreli said in awe of the lavish table before her. "But I assure you it is not necessary." She'd heard of bone china but had never actually used any. She was almost afraid of either staining the silk tablecloth or breaking one of the fragile dishes.
"Please call me Weatherby," he reminded her. "And you're right. It is not necessary but please allow me this. You are a beautiful woman and deserve nothing but the best."
She blushed and hated she did. "Thank you, Weatherby," she said with a small smile, holding up her wine goblet. "To you."
"No, to you," he said before lightly touching goblets.
Later, as they sat in the parlor sipping tea, Loreli noticed a painting of a young woman on the wall above the piano. She was young and quite beautiful. "May I inquire about that painting?" she asked, looking over towards the frame and back again.
A sad smile appeared on Weatherby's face as he looked past her, briefly forgetting where he was as his mind drifted to the past. They had been young, too young really, but were deeply in love. "That was my first wife, Elizabeth," he answered. "We wedded young and were together ten years."
Loreli saw the sadness in his eyes and wished she hadn't asked. "I'm sorry," she said. "Forgive me for asking."
His eyes met hers. "It's quite all right," he told her. "She died during childbirth and so did our daughter. Too many complications I'm afraid."
"I'm so sorry," she said, her emotions growing. "That must have been awful."
"I've been alone ever since," he confided. "No woman ever compared to my Elizabeth." His eyes met Loreli's again. "Until now."
Her stomach did somersaults but she wasn't sure why. Loreli saw a sad little boy in Weatherby's eyes and suddenly felt an urge to hold him and protect him, tell him everything was okay.
"Forgive my impropriety," he said, getting up from the small couch to sit beside of Loreli. He took her teacup, setting it down on the small table nearby and then took her hands in his. "I never thought I'd find another woman I could love. But you," he shook his head smiling. "You have captured my attention and my heart. You are beautiful and intelligent and…" He let go of her hands and sat up a little straighter. "I'm sorry, Loreli…it's just…"
Before she realized what she was doing, Loreli had leaned forward and lightly kissed Weatherby. The surprise in his eyes made her laugh slightly, certain her eyes revealed the same surprise.
"I was not expecting that," he told her.
"Me either," she confessed. "But I liked it."
"As did I," he said.
An awkward moment passed until Loreli said, "I would be honored if you would accompany me at William's wedding Saturday." She had told him earlier in the evening of her cousin's arrival, leaving out the part of their piracy background.
"I'd love to," Weatherby said.
"You may now kiss your bride," Clergyman Kinney said with a smile as William and Catherine leaned forward for a simple kiss while the guests applauded.
"Congratulations dear cousin," Loreli said, hugging William. "Catherine seems a remarkable woman."
"She is," he assured her. "I see you arrived with quite the man yourself. Mrs. Mandry filled me in."
Loreli laughed, glancing over at Weatherby congratulating Catherine. "I'm sure she did," she said. "But he is a gentleman and I think I'm quite smitten as much as I don't want to be."
William laughed then. "Don't hold yourself back," he told her. "Allow yourself to love him. You already know the kind of men around. His kind are few and far between."
"I know," she said quietly as Weatherby and Catherine joined them.
Offering his arm,Weatherby asked, "Shall we go inside for refreshments before Mrs. Mandry drags us in?"
They all laughed, following the guests inside to the parlor.
The festive reception lasted until evening when William and Catherine retired to the inn down the road for their honeymoon night. Guests thanked Mrs. Mandry one last time before their departure, leaving Weatherby the last to remain, walking with Loreli in the dark garden.
They were holding hands as they walked the narrow path. "A fine marriage," he was saying.
"Yes," she agreed. "Catherine seems a wonderful person. I'm so glad he found someone like her."
"Some people see where I live and remember my ancestors," he said. "Everyone thinks I have so much but I'm missing the one most important thing."
"Which is?"
"A marriage to a wonderful woman," he said and stopped walking to face Loreli.
Her heart pounded in her chest as he took both her hands.
"Loreli, you can think me mad," he began. "But I love you. I've loved you from a distance and spending time with you has only confirmed what I already knew. You are the only woman I want. Honor me by becoming my wife."
Eyes wide, Loreli's mouth dropped. "Oh goodness," she said, lump forming in her throat. She hadn't expected this, at least not so soon. "I'm surprised…I don't…I mean…"
"You don't have to answer me right now," Weatherby told her. "Please think about it. If it's too soon, I will wait for you. If you need time, we can take all the time you need. I'm not going anywhere."
"I will think about it," she told him, gently squeezing his hands. "You've honored me by asking."
A year later found William and Catherine Turner celebrating their first wedding anniversary and Weatherby and Loreli Swann three months from celebrating theirs. All four were living at the Swann Plantation, Weatherby insisting William and Catherine live in the guesthouse after his marriage to Loreli. "You're family," he'd told them. "We're family. We need to stay together."
Weatherby was only months away from becoming governor, working closely with Doctor Norrington's son, James, who was on his way to lieutenant in the Royal Navy while William had settled in at the blacksmith's shop. Weatherby had offered him high positions within the government but William denied. His interest was in learning to be a blacksmith and he needed to get his hands dirty each day. Commanding others wasn't what he did well but working with his hands was.
"I'm not used to not working," Catherine told Loreli one afternoon as they sat on the terrace sipping tea. "I worked my whole life in Tortuga."
"Enjoy it," Loreli encouraged her. "You never know when your life will change."
"True," Catherine agreed, then smiled, remembering a conversation she'd had with Mrs. Mandry recently. "You know, Mrs. Mandry still goes on about you and Weatherby." The girls laughed. "Did you really not want to meet him?"
Loreli shook her head at the memory. "I was rather stubborn about it," she admitted. "I just felt like I didn't need anyone. Aside from the two years with Riddick, I'd been alone. I didn't need a man." She smiled. "But Weatherby is very special. He broke through my resistance pretty quick. I never could have thought I'd be so happy with someone."
"Any children in the near future?" Catherine asked curiously.
"I don't think so," Loreli answered. "I had Jackson so many years ago. Another baby now would be so much work. I'm sure Weatherby would want to try, especially since he lost his daughter years ago."
"So sad," Catherine said, remembering the story when Loreli told her months earlier.
"What about you and William?" Loreli asked, knowing how her cousin had always wanted a child and never thinking his life would allow it.
A smile spread across Catherine's face. "You mustn't tell," she said. "I am to see Doctor Norrington tomorrow morn but I think I am with child."
"Oh Catherine, William will be so happy!" Loreli exclaimed. "He's always dreamed of being a father. And Mrs. Mandry can help with the birth. She was wonderful with me."
"I'm a little scared," Catherine confessed. "But I'm so excited at the same time."
"Well don't worry," Loreli assured her. "Your secret is safe with me. For a few months anyway."