Chapter 9: The Launch

The following day all seems peaceful and calm. Emma is pacing in her small room at the convent. She was unable to sleep the previous night as she'd worried about the situation with Milah. Could she trust her cousin to do the right thing? Should she have made an attempt to extend her stay longer at the Booth Estate? She hopes Milah will heed her warning, no her plea.

What could Milah possibly see in that despicable man? Sure he is a very attractive man, she's not blind, but other than looks, what could it be? What did he have to offer? His reputation is horrible. Even someone as sheltered as she has heard of him.

Tink arrives at Killian's cabin and becomes irate when he explains the reason for the meeting with Archie.

"I don't want to be a nun, Killian!" Tink screams.

Killian sighs and patiently massages the bridge of his nose. "Tink you are not to become a nun. This will only be temporary until Archie finds a nice home for you to work in."

"I don't understand why I cannot stay here with you. I can help you keep the cabin nice and clean. I could cook for you too," Tink says hopefully.

"It would not be proper for you to stay here alone with me. Someday you will find a man to love and eventually marry, and I don't want to be the reason you can't have that."

"I have already found that man," Tink says. "You."

"Tink, sweetheart I'm not that man. You deserve someone far better than me. This will be good for you. Trust me," Killian implores.

"Fine, but when the nuns kick me out because I'm too much trouble, I'm coming to live with you. No matter if it's proper or not, got it!"

"Bloody hell, alright I agree. Now let's go, Archie must be waiting for us."

"Good morning, Killian," Archie greets as he opens his door ready to go. "Tink it's always a pleasure. I assume Killian informed you of the reason for the visit to the convent?"

"Yes, I'm not happy about it," she pouted.

Archie provided Tink with a soft smile. "Your stay will not be long. That is not the only reason for my visit. I'm also going to deliver a letter to Emma Nolan. Perhaps, I will introduce you to her. She is a lovely young lady."

Killian scratched behind his ear at the mention of Emma's name. She had returned to the convent, he mused.

"Archie, perhaps it would be wise for me to not go inside with you and Tink. My reputation will no doubt be off-putting."

"Nonsense Killian, it's a place of worship. You have as much right to be there as anyone else," Archie assures him.

The truth is he is not ready for another meeting with Emma. Especially since she knows of his relationship with Milah, and most likely of their plans.

"I will wait outside. I want Tink to make a good impression," Killian insists when they arrive at the convent.

"Fine, it shouldn't be long," Archie says.

Killian leans against the wall as Archie and Tink walk through the convent doors.

Archie and Tink are guided to an office where Mother Superior looks up from the stack of papers on her desk.

"Good morning Mother Superior. I'm here for two reasons. I would love to deliver this letter to Emma Nolan on behalf of her father," Archie says, holding up the envelope, "and I'd like to speak with you about this young lady."

"I will get one of the sisters to get Emma, please take a seat," Mother Superior says as she stands and leaves the room.

Archie nods in agreement and motions for Tink to take a seat next to him. Not two minutes later she returns. "How may I be of assistance?"

"I was hoping that I could request asylum for Miss Greene," he says, gesturing to the young woman beside him, "she prefers to be called Tink. Her stay would be temporary, and I will pay for her expenses."

Mother Superior nods her approval and the three of them wait for Emma's arrival. Soon there is a knock on the little office door. "Emma, please come in."

"Good morning Mr. Hopper, Mother Superior," Emma says and smiles at Tink.

"Emma, meet Tink. She will be staying with us for a bit." Mother Superior smiles as she makes the introduction and adds, "Mr. Hopper also has a very important delivery for you."

"Nice to meet you, Tink," Emma says and smiles.

"Emma, I will be showing Tink and Mr. Hopper around, please feel free to read your letter here in privacy."

Archie takes out the envelope and hands it to Emma

Staring at the envelope, Emma smiles and decides she'd rather be outdoors to read it. There is a big tree on the side of the convent that shades the window to her room. That spot is so calming to her. She reaches the tree, sits on the grass, and starts reading.

My Darling Princess,

I miss you and your mother so very much. I wish I was there. I have missed so many milestones in your life already. I'm writing this short letter to let you know that I will, in fact, be arriving at Misthaven soon. Hopefully, within a month we will be reunited. I was hoping I could ask for you to reconsider your decision of taking vows. Sweetheart, I believe your heart is broken now, but I know you are so resilient and strong. I know you will find the happiness you deserve. Please don't give up on love just yet. Please, let your mother know we will soon be together again.

Love,

Dad

Emma can't stop the tears from slowly falling. She looks around her new home, and that is when she sees him. She stands and walks toward him, intent on questioning his reasons for being here.

"What are you doing here?" Emma asks coldly.

Killian had not seen Emma approaching him; he had been lost in thought. "Good day to you too, Saint Emma, I'm here waiting for a friend, or is that not permitted to a man like myself," Killian replies.

Emma looks at him and asks, "Who can you possibly know that would have any business here?"

Killian smirks and pushes himself off the wall before he leans into her space. "Well, I know you. Would you rather I visit your lovely cousin? I would gladly comply."

Emma's breath hitches as he sways into her space and she takes a step back. She glares at him and says, "I told you to stay away from her!"

"Calm down. That is unless you would like to draw the attention of the lovely nuns. Would you like the whole sordid story of how a Countess fell into bed with a lowlife pirate revealed? I'm dying of curiosity. May I ask you a personal question?" Killian asks as he stares at Emma.

"What do you want to know?" Emma hisses. She has backed herself up against the wall as Killian continues to encroach on her personal space.

"Why do you still have such loyalty towards someone that simply discarded you? I know you are desperate to protect Booth."

Emma looks at him. "I'm not protecting him. I'm protecting my family."

"I know you are protecting him. 'Tis bad form to lie," Killian says confidently as he licks his lips. He is standing so close to her now he can feel the heat of her body. "What a shame, such devotion wasted on someone that obviously didn't see your value."

"Even if I was to admit that what you say is true, and the only reason I'm asking you to stay away from my family is because of August, that is none of your business."

They are at a standoff and fail to notice Archie has exited the building and is headed their way. Killian is blocking Emma's view as he is standing between her and the rest of the world. Emma's back begins to ache and she realizes she is pressing herself hard against the wall as Killian's body scorches her with the heat that rolls off of him.

"Killian, everything is taken care of," Archie calls out.

Killian slowly turns around to face Archie. "Thanks, mate. Were there any problems?"

"No problems, as predicted. Tink will be sharing a room with Emma," Archie paused as the blonde behind Killian was revealed, "oh, I wasn't aware you two knew each other."

"We don't. I was just making conversation with the lass," Killian answers to quickly

"We were just making small talk. I had just come outside for a little privacy is all," Emma agrees.

"Oh, I assumed that you two must know each other, you looked quite engrossed in conversation," Archie says still looking at both of them.

"Thank you for the letter, Mr. Hopper. I should go inside and continue with my chores," Emma says and smiles softly before hurrying to the safety of the convent walls.

That girl is special, Killian. She has such a beautiful soul. It is a shame August called off the engagement. Don't misunderstand me, Milah is a beautiful girl, but Emma is an angel. She is the type of girl that I had hoped you would fall in love with and be lucky enough to marry."

"Sounds to me like the lass already has an admirer." Killian winks at Archie.

Archie turns beet red and says, "I only meant to say that she is a special young woman. If anything, I believe she could be the kind of girl to tame the beast within your heart. Too bad she is adamant on taking the vows."

"I believe the lass would object to the assumption that she would make a good wife for a man like me. I had no idea you were so adamant in playing matchmaker, besides, I told you I've met someone already, and if things work out with August Booth, then I will gladly answer whatever questions you may have."

Killian looks in the direction Emma just headed. If he were an honorable man would Emma look at him with the same fondness as she had Archie? He had only seen contempt in her eyes. He was no stranger to that kind of look, but for some reason coming from her, it made him question his life.

"Before you ask, Tink seemed fine. Let's go to my home and send August a note requesting a meeting. Let's get you started on the right path toward a new life," Archie says fondly.

"Aye mate," Killian replies.

Emma walks into her room later that evening to find Tink sitting on the other bed in the room. "Are you okay?" Emma asks.

"Yes, I hope I don't have to stay long. This place brings back bad memories," Tink answers.

"Oh, if you ever want to share your burdens I will gladly listen."

"Thank you. I can see why Archie thinks so highly of you."

"Well, he has always been very kind. I have known him since I was a young girl. My parents are very fond of him. How is it you know Archie?" Emma asks.

"Oh he is a very close friend of Killian's," Tink says with a dreamy look on her face.

"You seem very fond of your friend Killian."

"I know he doesn't have the best reputation, but he has always been good to me."

Emma just blinks and arches her right eyebrow. "That is good to know." Sensing that she should tread carefully as it might be a sensitive subject, Emma decides to change the subject "How did you like the tour of the convent, Tink?"

"I will only be here for a short time, so it doesn't matter if I liked it or not. How long have you been here?" Tink asks.

"Almost 90 days. At the beginning of next month, I can take my vows."

"I have no idea why you would want to become a nun. You are very pretty and refined. I'm sure you can find someone to marry," Tink says.

"Thank you for the compliment. I was betrothed from a very young age, but things didn't work out. To be honest, I want to help and I feel this is the best way to do that," Emma says.

Tink looks at Emma and smiles softly. "I believe that man is an arse, and there are other ways to help without becoming a nun." Tink likes Emma, she's never had any other friends besides Killian. The girls share a giggle before Emma comments, "Colorful language for such a nice young lady."

"Killian would have said something like that. And I would have told him the same thing I am going to tell you, I'm not a lady," Tink responds.

Emma thinks maybe she has upset Tink. "I was teasing. I've had a long day and I have a feeling yours wasn't any better. Maybe we should turn in already?"

"It takes more than that to upset me, but you are right, today was a very long day."

As they get ready for bed, Emma takes a glance at Tink and wonders if perhaps Killian Jones is not a complete scoundrel like she thought. Emma drifts to sleep and dreams of getting lost in the bluest of oceans.