“I don’t want her to crawl!” He faced out the porthole. The vastness of the open ocean would soon be leaving them behind. They were close to Spain; he could feel it. There he would purchase more fabrics for his employer and resupply before sailing back to England. He would need to apologize for his delay and the loss of the gentleman’s ship and goods, but the fabric he brought back without request would help.

  “Of course you don’t want her to physically crawl, that is understood. That would be undignified. But you must want her to beg for your attention.”

  “I don’t want that either!” How could he make Duplay understand? “I want her to come to me because she wants to be with me.”

  “Then perhaps you should tell her that is how you feel.”

  Kenelm rounded on the sea artist and let his jaw drop. He’d suggested that route days ago, and Duplay had forbidden it, claiming that it made him appear desperate. Well, now he was desperate and fearful. Fearful that he was running out of time to convince Rose that she had feelings for him.

  Instead of berating Duplay for his change of tactics, he said, “Perhaps I should find something she likes and try to woo her with it.”

  “The dancing was a good start.”

  He still remembered how Rose had felt in his arms. She had been the perfect fit. He’d held her as long as he dared then he’d pulled back. Her eyes had drooped with tiredness, and he’d forced her to retire to his quarters. He’d spent the night with the other crew wishing that he could perform a wedding ceremony and make her truly Mrs. Kennaway.

  “I’ve given her gowns, praised her for her cooking ability, and for her beauty. What else can I possibly do on this ship?”

  “Don’t think about what you can do on the ship; think about what you can show her in Spain.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Duplay blew. “Tell her the history of Cadiz, that is where we’re landing, yes?”

  He nodded.

  “Good. Then tell her about the history, even the recent facts will be new to her. Remember she has been on the seas for eight years.”

  Duplay had a valid point. And he was knowledgeable about the area, having spent months there acquiring fabric for his finicky employer.

  “I believe you’ve finally presented me with a solution.”

  “I’m pleased. Now let’s study these maps so that we can make it to Cadiz sooner rather than later. I tire of ship life.”

  Duplay would be the one to voice that opinion. It had been as if pulling a lion’s teeth to get him to join the journey. For a man more used to passing his time in the King and Queen’s court, he’d been surprisingly invaluable. Now if his advice worked with Rose, then Kenelm might not be living a life of bachelor solitude after all.

  ****

  Rose stared in wonder as they approached the port of Cadiz, Spain. Tall watchtowers protruded from various places. She knew they were placed to look for arriving ships. She couldn’t have been happier to see them.

  The ship docked and she waited until everyone going ashore had disembarked and still she hadn’t moved. A warm hand touched the small of her back.

  “Are you ready to go ashore?”

  “A-are you sure that it is safe?”

  As Kenelm moved to face her, a smile tugged at his lips. “Aye, it is safe. You will be with me the entire time.”

  She nodded and clutched his warm hand. He squeezed. She felt reassured immediately.

  They strolled down the gangplank. “Where are we going first?”

  “First I must meet with the fabric supplier then we’ll visit some of the Plazas and look at the cathedrals and other buildings if you like.”

  She nodded.

  As they journeyed through the narrow streets, Kenelm kept up a running monologue. He shared the history of Cadiz and the news she’d missed in recent years.

  “King Ferdinand VII was imprisoned here!”

  “Yes. He was only recently released in 1823 at the Battle of Trocadoro.”

  “I have missed much.” The world had changed in her absence. How did she expect to just step back into it and retake her place?

  “Ah, here we are.” He opened the door. A bell rang above them.

  An elderly gentleman with a shock of white hair waited behind a counter.

  “Ah! It is you!”

  Kenelm bowed. “Aye, it is. How have you faired, Mr. Wellington?”

  “Not so well, not so well. Mr. Necome has been inquiring about his fabrics.”

  “Ah, that would be my fault, and I’ve come to rectify the situation.”

  “I see.” Mr. Wellington clutched the counter with whitened knuckles. Apparently, he’d had a rough time of it.

  “I would like to replace my employer’s fabric.”

  Mr. Wellington cocked his brow. Kenelm seemed to anticipate the next question because he dropped gold coins on the counter. Mr. Wellington’s eyes widened.

  “So your journeys have brought you success?”

  “In many ways.” He squeezed her hand and she forced herself not to look away from Mr. Wellington lest he understand Kenelm’s dual meaning.

  She wiggled her hand free and began to walk around the shop. Bolts of fabric in various colors lined the walls from floor to ceiling. If she were to stack two of Kenelm he still wouldn’t reach the great height.

  The two men discussed fabric and haggled over price and delivery. Kenelm wanted the fabrics as soon as possible, even though Mr. Wellington deemed that the earliest would be two weeks. Kenelm wasn’t happy with the timeline and continued to push for an earlier date.

  Then he was there, at her elbow, guiding her back into the street.

  “Did you settle your business?”

  “Aye, I did, but not in the timing I would have preferred.”

  “What is wrong with staying in Cadiz?” She would have loved to explore the city, and it kept her from her father longer. That meeting was a source of great anxiety and dread.

  “The problem would be that Cadiz is great with unrest. Skirmishes happen frequently. I do not wish to be caught in a civil war while here. I want the fabrics so we may get on our way.”

  She must have missed a conversation. But if he was concerned then she was sure there was reason.

  She pulled his arm closer. “What about those cathedrals? Do we have time to step inside one?”

  “Your wish is my command.”

  He led her to several churches. Each of which was more beautiful than the last. They laughed. Shared tales. Enjoyed each other’s company. She would have been happy had the world ended then.

  They returned to the ship right as a silver moon crested full in the sky. It seemed to light a path on the water. She was being led multiple directions. She wanted to return home. To see her old room. To tell Father she was alive, for better or worse. To seek out her old friends and see how their lives had changed. Maybe even to tell Evander that he should move on. But most of all she wanted to follow the path that led to an eternity with Kenelm. But how could she express her desire to be with him?

  He hadn’t pushed her away, so he must not mind overly much about her company. But she was the only woman aboard the ship, and he had promised to protect her. His word was his guide. He would never go against it.

  As he went to talk to his crew about the potential wait, she stood on the deck and continued to stare at the water and the way it shimmered beneath the moon’s light. There was a direction she wanted her life to go. She finally knew which way it was. Now she just had to make the other half of her see the same path before it was too late.

  Chapter Ten: Home

  The assured two weeks needed to assemble the fabrics ordered, quickly decreased to three days with the promise of more gold. Kenelm didn’t know whether to be happy or upset by the change.

  He’d taken Rose through the city and shown her every historical building, down to the last rock. They’d dined at fancy restaurants allowing her to dress in the gowns he’d purchased for her. They’d attended the theater. As far as he could tell, she’d enjoyed his company. But it never seemed enough. She returned to the ship in a sullen mood and retired to her quarters as soon as possible.

  They left Cadiz. That night, the full silver moon lit their path. It reminded him of the one dress that Rose had yet to wear again. He’d thought of suggesting it on multiple occasions, but he didn’t wish for her to believe he disliked her in other attire. He enjoyed her figure no matter what clothing arrayed it.

  Stevens called out a new heading. Kenelm snuck a glance toward the captain’s quarters, Rose’s room. The door was closed. No light glowed beneath. She was either asleep inside or just sitting in the dark waiting to hear of their arrival home.

  He’d yet to decide what to do about their predicament. If he spoke the truth of his love for her and she declined his advances, he would be devastated. However, if he kept his feelings to himself and then Evander arrived in England, he would be ill as well. There was no good way to end his trip. Perhaps he shouldn’t return home. He could ask another ship to deliver the fabrics to his employer and Kenelm would send what crew wished to leave him back to England and he would whisk Rose away to places unknown.

  The smooth strands of the string instrument filled the air. Duplay was playing a mournful song. It brought about thoughts he’d tried to bury. Rose’s father. The gentleman had been devastated with the loss of his daughter. He deserved to know she was alive and well, even if they hadn’t always gotten along.

  No, he had to return her to England. He would just need to make sure she knew his feelings beforehand. How hard could that be?

  ****

  Apparently sharing one’s feelings was harder than he’d anticipated. Rose was never without company. Duplay, Jones, Lefty, they all seemed to hover around her as if the sun around the earth. But not this afternoon. Today he’d given them each a specific duty that Rose couldn’t assist with. Today he would have her to himself. And it was now or never, because tomorrow they should make landfall.

  “Rose, may I see you, privately?”

  She dropped the rope she was braiding and crossed the main deck. They were outside the captain’s quarters. He would love to drag her inside and pour out his heart where no one could see them, but he wouldn’t risk the impropriety. So they would stay by the door in the open.

  “You asked to see me.”

  “Yes.” He paused. “Tomorrow we will land in Brighton.”

  She swallowed.

  He squeezed her hand. “Your father has taken residence in a home there since your disappearance.”

  She covered her mouth but a gasp slipped out.

  “I believe it was so he would be close to shore if you ever returned.”

  A tear dropped onto her cheek, and she wiped it away.

  “But this is not the reason that I’ve asked you to speak with me.” He drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Why was bearing his feelings so hard?

  “Yes?”

  “I-I, well I…” He should just blurt it out it would be easier. “I have feelings for you.”

  She smiled. “And I for you.”

  “No, you don’t understand. I have real feelings for you. I believe I always have. I should never have stepped back when Evander appeared to steal your affections. I should have fought for you. And well now that you’re my wife, in a manner of speaking, I don’t intend on giving you up.”

  Air whooshed past her teeth as if she’d been holding it. Perhaps he should have gone gentler on her. Eased into the part about not giving her up, but it was too late now.

  Tears filled her eyes and spilled onto her cheeks. She placed both her hands on his face. Then she was on tiptoes placing their lips together in a soft caress.

  She pulled back.

  “Was that the kiss of I never want to see you again, or the kiss of agreement?”

  She laughed under her breath. “That was definitely the kiss of agreement.”

  He picked her up and swung her into a full circle. She slid down his body making him feel as if on fire.

  “You have made me the happiest man on earth.”

  “And I am the happiest woman on earth!”

  He pulled her close and kissed her long and hard. When she moved back, she was breathless and clinging to him.

  “In light of this new information, how do you suggest we proceed?”

  She tapped her delicate finger to her lips and tilted her head to the side. “Might I suggest a more formal wedding?”

  “That is a good suggestion, my tribal wife.”

  She giggled, a sound he would never tire of for as long as he lived.

  “How do you suggest we conduct such a wedding? Should we do so here on the ship or wait until we reach the shore?”

  Worry instantly gnawed at his gut. If they reached the shore and were still unmarried, she might change her mind. Many things had happened in her absence. But then again, didn’t she deserve the right to have time to consider her choice? If he forced her to wed now, then she wouldn’t know what she might be missing. There could be another gent out there waiting for her who was even more suitable than he.

  “While I believe a wedding on shore would be preferable, because my father could be in attendance, I would also enjoy a wedding here. Perhaps we could do both?”

  The last statement was formed like a question. He had no problem with filling that desire.

  “I believe that can be arranged.”

  “Is there anyone qualified on board?”

  As a captain he could perform the ceremony, but were their others who could conduct the ceremony in a legal manner was the ultimate question.

  They would have the bans read and the legal paperwork filed as soon as they reached the shore. Then they could conduct another ceremony. But as for whom to do it here…

  “I can do it, Captain.” Duplay adjusted his wig as he stepped forward. “I’ve performed several ceremonies.”

  “Very well.” He looked at his wife-to-be. “Shall we wed beneath the night sky and let the stars illuminate us.”

  She smiled. “I would like that.”

  ****

  With no maid, Rose was forced to prepare herself for the ceremony. She chose to wear the sliver-blue gown that Kenelm had picked for her.

  When the chords of music strummed from Duplay’s instrument, she stepped from the captain’s quarters. The deck had been cleaned, and a makeshift podium had been placed at the opposite end. The crew members had formed a line for her to walk through.

  As she stepped forward, oohs and ahhs followed. Warmth bloomed in her cheeks, but she didn’t waver. At the end of the aisle waited the future she’d been seeking when she had run from Evander eight years ago. It was a shame that it had taken so long to find him, but find him she had.

  Kenelm held out his hand, and she grasped it firmly. Beneath the silver orb, she pledged her life, love, and loyalty to Kenelm Kennaway for the second time.

  She had no idea what the future held, but for now she knew that her heart was home.

  Author’s Note

  Kenelm finally revealed his feelings for Rose and they have wed—again. Now there is only one thing left to do—met the father and secure his blessing.

  I hope you will join me for the last installment in The Kenelm Chronicles series, The Bronze Heart, available October 2017.

  Check out www.feliciarogersauthor.weebly.com to find more of my novels and novellas and to join my newsletter.

  Keep reading for a sample of The Bronze Heart.

  Excerpt from The Bronze Heart

  Release expected in October 2017

  Chapter One: Brighton

  Rose rolled from the berth, pulled a gown over her head, and eased the cabin door open. Kenelm slept peacefully with his hands tucked beneath his cheek. She had no desire to wake him.

  Heat consumed her middle as images of her wedding night flooded her mind. Kenelm had promised many more such nights in which he would show how much he loved and desired her. His love for her was more intense than she’d ever anticipated.

  A cool breeze struck her flushed skin, and she pulled the wrap tighter around her shoulders. Lights winked close to the horizon. They were too low to be stars.

  She swallowed her fear.

  Brighton—the town which currently housed her father. He’d moved to their second home upon her disappearance, so Kenelm had said. She hadn’t argued with Kenelm’s assumption that it was because he wanted to be closer to port in case of her return. At first, emotion had allowed her to dream the statement was possibly true, but then reality had set in. Father only did things for his benefit. That even meant living in Brighton and away from London.

  What would he say about her match? Would he accept Kenelm as her husband? An annulment was technically unattainable since certain wedding acts had been performed, but she wouldn’t put it past Father to try if another suitor for her would provide more advantageous for him.

  She considered requesting they head straight for Odell. It was Kenelm’s family home. She’d heard of its opulence often from Father, mostly in an envious tone. He was enamored with large exorbitant homes.

  Very few of Father’s associates knew of his bent for acquiring finer things by any means necessary. They thought him altruistic and friendly to the common man.

  Perhaps once Kenelm learned the truth of her family’s success, earned on the backs of others, then he would leave her.

  She shivered. Arms wrapped around her from behind and she was drawn back. She knew the chest well and practically melted against his stalwart of protection.

  “We will be in Brighton by morning. Does this concern you?”

  “Yes.” Maybe she shouldn’t be so honest, but now that she’d shared her true feelings for him she couldn’t seem to stop.

  He massaged her shoulders. “What concerns you most?”

  It was as if he knew there would be more than one thing. Perhaps he held multiple concerns as well.

  “My father’s reaction to my return.”

  He turned her to face him. His mouth was spread wide. “He’ll be ecstatic!”