Free Carried Home by Heather Manning Page A

the child’s. Should the storm become too violent, if the both of you are tied down, you won’t be tossed to and fro. I know of men who stayed below during a storm and got their bones crushed.”
    Ivy clutched Emma to her chest as the ship plunged downward, and then surged back up. Would the storm truly grow so fierce that the movement could break their bones? A shiver of fear etched across her back. Surely Captain Thompson would turn back towards the port if conditions became too violent.
    â€œBut…what if I get stuck down here and need to leave?”
    Mr. Douglas briefly laid a reassuring hand on her arm. “You will be all right, Lady Shaw. I have not sailed with Captain Thompson before, but I am confident he is a good captain. He will do his best to keep everyone on his ship safe, and if anything should happen, he will send a trustworthy man down to help you.”
    â€œBut what if something happens before someone comes to retrieve us, Mr. Douglas? I don’t want to annoy you, but I cannot be tied up with Emma relying on me.”
    The man glanced at the door, a frown darkening his face. He could be handsome, except for the side of his face marred by blurry scars. It almost looked as if part of it had melted like wax. Light brown hair curled tightly around his face, and his eyes were a dark forest green. After a moment, he pulled out an object from his waistband.
    The light of the single candle in the room glistened on the metal blade of a knife. Ivy almost allowed a gasp to escape her lips. This man, although he was a sailor on this…pirate ship, had acted in no way but honorably towards her. Surely there was nothing to fear from him.
    A smile brightened his face, making him more attractive. He held out the knife innocently; handle first, with the blade in his hand. “I will give you this knife to keep you safe. If you find you absolutely need to escape, you may cut the ropes with it. All right?”

Chapter Eight
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    If the ship inclined to the side once more, Ivy was certain they would capsize. She hugged Emma to her chest. “Oh, Emma. We need to pray that we survive this storm. I was not sure it was so bad earlier, but if we need to be tied to the bed to be safe, then perhaps it is something to worry about.”
    Emma tugged on a piece of her hair. “Mama.”
    Shock hit Ivy like a slap of seawater. “Oh, sweetheart, I’m not your Mama.”
    â€œMama, Mama, Mama.”
    â€œIf only I was your mama.” A vision of Ivy strolling through London with little Emma in her arms surprised Ivy. Oh, how she wished she was this child’s mother. But would it be right to raise the child alone? Surely the little one needed a father to help take care of her. Sadly, Ivy saw no father in Emma’s near future.
    â€œIf only you had a papa as well.”
    The ship dipped deeply into the ocean. The ropes cut into Ivy, but held her in place. Their pressure against her skin panicked her. What if they capsized? Her hand reached the knife that Mr. Douglas had offered her.
    â€œPapa?”
    â€œYes, a papa.” Ivy loosened her grip on the blade. “A papa would help take care of you. He would protect us. But you do have a Papa, my dear. God loves you because you are his child. Just like I am and…and Captain Thompson…” Ivy’s insides tingled at the thought of Captain Thompson also being a child of God. She had always been taught that she, a lady was far above those of more lowly birth. And yet she went to church with commoners. Everyone was welcome in their Father’s arms.
    Emma leaned against Ivy’s chest and smiled. “Mama.”
    â€œOh, my darling.”
    Shouts hailed down from the main deck. How long would the men need to struggle against this storm?
    The ship plunged to the side once more, further than it had before.
    They were going to capsize. There was no doubt of that. And Ivy would not allow Emma to be caught down