Free A Pirate's Ransom by Gerri Brousseau Page B

that?”
    “I took the children from the orphanage and we hid in the empty tomb behind the parish church, so we were unharmed. The outcome was not so pleasant for some.”
    “That was a very brave thing to do, Catherine. I feel it safe to say I do not know any other woman who possesses your courage.”
    “Thank you, Captain, but you must realize that when I prayed for something to happen to prevent me from reaching England, I never asked to be captured by fearsome pirates. Do you think less of me?”
    He laughed. “Think less of you, no.”
    “What amuses you then?”
    “I have been called many things in my life, Milady, but never an answer to someone’s prayers.”
    He placed a soft kiss upon my forehead. “Come, we should get back to the landing sight. This is an island of plenty, and we are to lunch here on the beach.”
    A great smile spread across my face.
    “This pleases you, Milady?”
    “Yes, very much.”
    “I thought it might. Come, I have a few more surprises in store for you.”
    Holding my hand, he drew me beside him and we walked hand-in-hand back toward the others.
    The pirates had outdone themselves. Wild game birds roasted over open fires, and I nearly drooled when the aroma drifted to me. Vast plates of fruits and wild vegetables were laid out, and Cook drew roasted potatoes from the fire. Deep red wine accompanied our meal, and we took our fill of it all.
    “I do not believe I have ever eaten so much food or taken so much wine.” I leaned against Edmund as we padded barefoot along the beach. The sounds of fiddle music and the laughter of the group we left behind drifted to us across the sand.
    “Do you miss your home on the Island, Catherine?”
    “No, not really, but I do miss the children.”
    His eyebrow rose. “Children?”
    I couldn’t help but giggle. “Oh, not my children, the island children.” He looked relieved.
    “I taught them to speak English and to read. As I mentioned, there is an orphanage on the island and I visited it frequently. The children there loved to hear me read. They have nothing, yet it takes so little to make them smile. I wish I could have done more to help them. Reading to them was a small thing, but it made them so happy.”
    “You love children, don’t you?”
    “Yes. I hope to have some of my own one day.” A frown creased my brow at the thought of my uncertain future.
    “I have known many women of privileged birth and none of them speak so passionately and lovingly about children. In fact, for the most part, they view them as an inconvenience and simply ignore them.”
    I laughed. “I believe you have found I’m not like most women.”
    “Aye, you will garner no argument from me on that point.”
    “And what of you, Captain Drake? Do you dream of settling down one day and having a brood of children?”
    “Aye, I hope to settle down one day, but I don’t know about having a brood of children. I would be happy with a few.”
    “Do you have any brothers or sisters?” he asked.
    “No, my mother died of consumption when I was a child. What of you? Do you have any siblings, perhaps a brother who is also a pirate?”
    His expression grew dark for a moment. “No, no one.”
    I sensed a change in his mood so I did not query him further. We walked hand-in-hand in silence along the beach for a few moments, enjoying the sound of the surf and the feeling of the sand upon our feet.
    “Are you happy, Catherine?”
    “More than I have ever been.”
    “I have something I wish to give you. Another surprise,” he said, drawing me along toward some large rocks at the water’s edge. Lifting me into his arms, he carried me through the shallow pool of water where the tide lapped against the stones. Being held in his strong arms gave me a feeling of security I never experienced before. A warm sensation filled my heart and I rested my head against his shoulder. He held me closely as he waded through the water. The sound of the thundering waves was surpassed